Josephine Madeleine Gainey's Obituary
Josephine (Jo) Madeleine Wagner Gainey, 81, of Henderson, TX passed away peacefully in her home on Christmas day, December 25, 2014. She is predeceased by her parents, George and Frances Wagner; one brother, Pete Wagner; one sister Louise Bradley; devoted son-in-law Jesse (Poncho) Tippitt III. Jo is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years Jack F. Gainey, oldest son John (Candice) Gainey of Henderson, Nevada; daughters Patricia Tippitt and Cathy (James) Wood-Deason of Henderson, TX; youngest son George (Minden) Gainey of Henderson, TX; brother Emanuel Wagner of Cypress, TX; brother Johnny Wagner of Hockley, TX; sister Martha Middleton of Tyler, TX; youngest brother Tommy Wagner of Rosharon, TX; eleven grandchildren Tiffany, Jesse, and Candice Tippitt; Matt and Luke Wood; Jedidiah and Jocelyn Gainey; Garrett, Griffith, Caitlyn, and Christy Gainey.
Visitation will be held at the Rader Funeral Home in Henderson, TX from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday, December 28, 2014.
A rosary service will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Henderson, TX on Monday, December 29 at 10:30 AM followed by Mass at 11:00 AM. Following the funeral service, internment will be held at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Henderson, TX under direction of Rader Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations to honor the memory of Jo may be made to St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Henderson, TX or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org.
Jo was born to George and Frances Wagner in Dobbin, TX January 5, 1933. She attended Hempstead High School and after graduation moved to Houston, TX in 1951 where she met her future husband Jack. After marriage they settled in the piney woods of East Texas where they raised their four children.
Jo was a devoted homemaker and was passionate for many outdoor activities. Throughout her life she shared her enthusiasm for numerous adventures with her children and grandchildren including camping, fishing, hunting, and canoeing just to name a few. Many memories were formed while camping with her family at favorite fishing spots on the White River and Little Red River in Arkansas.
Jo and her husband Jack shared a passion for tree farming. After acquiring their tree farm in Minden, Louisiana they spent many wonderful years together cultivating, nurturing, and harvesting the fruits of their labor. Their shared dedication to tree farming served to build a foundation and appreciation of nature and family values.
Jo spent countless hours giving of her time, talent, and treasure as a volunteer for organizations dear to her heart including the St. Jude’s Alter Society, President of the Gaston PTA, and as den mother for the Cub Scouts of America.
As her children grew older Jo expanded her interest in the work force. She served the Henderson community as a telephone operator for General Telephone & Electronics Company. Later she went to work for the First National Bank in Henderson. Jo was well known in the community as the "Avon Lady" in the mid 70's where she was recognized by the company for numerous accomplishments as a top sales representative.
In their retirement years Jo and Jack enjoyed life traveling by car throughout the southern, eastern and western United States. Their love of National Parks was highlighted by time spent in visits to historic Yellowstone, the Appalachian Trail, and many other locations throughout the country.
During the last several years of Jo's life she devoted much of her time to gardening and working in her greenhouse. Grandchildren young and old along with family and friends served to fill her days with abundant joy. Anyone who paid Jo a visit could not help but notice the birds, rabbits, squirrels, and deer that surrounded her country home. At times even the raccoons were welcomed.
Jo's positive energy and spirit, her enthusiasm, her devotion as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a friend; Jo's unwavering faith in God and her love of life has left our community and our world a brighter and more meaningful place.
What’s your fondest memory of Josephine?
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Share a story where Josephine's kindness touched your heart.
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