Shirley Ann Gaines, daughter of the late Odus K. Eubanks Sr. and Clarsa Mae (Simmons) Eubanks, was born on February 27, 1941, in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life on November 13, 2023, at her home in Branson, Missouri, surrounded by family.
Shirley was 14 years old when she met the love of her life. Loyd attended a service at her church one night and she told her best friend Doris “I’m going to marry that man!” And she did! On September 14,1957, when she was 16 and he was 17, she and Loyd Gaines were united in marriage in Dexter, Missouri. They cherished their love for each other and spent the next 66 years enjoying life to the fullest! Her happiest times and greatest accomplishments were raising her 4 children, and her husband! She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley enjoyed anything that involved being around people and serving others. Her love for people was manifested through her love for cooking and baking. She found no greater way to express her love for family and friends than to bake them a loaf of her homemade bread, a homemade pie or cake, or fixing a big meal to welcome every new person she met. Trying new recipes was her favorite hobby which led to her assisting with cooking classes at her church, cooking Wednesday night meals at church, helping Loyd to prepare full Thanksgiving dinners and fish fries for the Cornerstone group at church.
She loved new challenges and wasn’t afraid to take on anything. You might not know this about her, but she learned to read and write braille to be a teacher’s aide to an elementary blind student. She was a Tupperware manager for decades and loved teaching new recipes at each party. Loyd even helped her, much to her dismay, by providing comic relief at many of her parties!
When many folks in their late years would be slowing down, they were speeding down the highways on Loyd’s motorcycle! Shirley got tired of looking at the back of his helmet and at age 60 she got her own motorcycle license and Loyd built her a trike of her own so they could travel side by side. Through the years, they traveled through 49 states and 4 countries. After moving to Branson, they traded in the motorcycle life for night life! While many would be headed to bed on Friday night, you would catch Shirley and Loyd headed to the late show in Branson with the “Wild Bunch”, a rowdy bunch of friends.
Shirley was blessed by having many friends who loved her and enjoyed sharing life with her and Loyd. The many friends they have made through their church and neighborhood have become like family.
Her love for Jesus was apparent in everything she did! She devoted her life to Christian service including teaching Sunday School, teaching the Bible to children and youth through bible quizzing and VBS, participating in mission trips and organizing fellowship events. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri for many years. In 2013, she and Loyd took on a new adventure and moved to Branson, Missouri, where they joined First Baptist Church of Branson.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Paula (David) Duley of Dexter, MO, Kimelyn Hyslop of Houston, TX, and Tammy (Ronnie) Turner of Dexter, MO; by one son, Michael (Kim)
Gaines of Clever, MO; by two brothers, Bob Eubanks of Harrison, AR, and Gene Gadberry of DesArc, MO; by 9 grandchildren, Brent (Jenn) Ely, Jeffrey (Michelle) Samoska, Stephanie (Allen) Farmer, Joshua
(Zona) Gaines, Sean (Cherlynn) Hyslop, Brandon (Molly) Hyslop, Blaine (Caitlyn) Jones, Tyler (Harley) Jones, Belle Victoria Gaines; and 8 great-grandchildren, Chloe, Sheldon, Kaydee, Layken, lsabella, Amia, Hans, and Zoey; and many nieces and nephews.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by eight brothers, Dr. Odus K. Eubanks Jr., Edward “Edd” Eubanks, Jerry Eubanks, Cecil Gadberry, Tommy Eubanks, Argus Eubanks, Odus K. Eubanks Jr, and
Robert K. Eubanks; and by four sisters, Ruby Moore, Imogene Mackey, Stella Powell, and Edna Ruth Eubanks.
Visitation is from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Friday, November 17, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Branson, Missouri. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00pm following the visitation. Burial will take place Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:00pm at Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri so friends and family from the area are encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place in Memphis, TN 38105 or by phone at 1(800) 805-5856.
