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JoAnn Semones Gainer

GAINER

JoAnn Semones Gainer, 87, a resident of Kerens, went home to be with the Lord early Thursday morning, Feb. 8, 2018, at her home. She had been in declining health although death was unexpected.

She was born Sunday, July 13, 1930, at Kerens, a daughter of the late Arthur Green and Russie Mae Gatewood Semones.

She was formerly married to Kenneth “Ham” Gainer, who preceded her in death June 3, 2014.

Surviving are eight children, Mike Gainer and wife, Judy, of Oakland, Maryland, Diane Hawkins and husband, Rick, of New Bern, North Carolina, Kaye Jones and husband, Terry, of Mabie, Kevin Gainer and wife, Connie, of Kerens, Kimberly Nestor and husband, Tucker, of Hambleton, Kathy Gainer of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jennifer Wiseman of Norfolk, Virginia, and Janet Mullennex and husband, Rob, of Montrose; one sister, Ruth Gainer of Spotsylvania, Virginia; and one brother, Elmer Semones of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are seven brothers; five sisters; and one grandson, William White.

Mrs. Gainer was a cook for Randolph County Schools, starting her career at Kerens Grade School and retiring after over 20 years at North Elementary School, where most of her students called her Grandma.

She was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles and very much enjoyed playing rummy and playing games on her Facebook. She enjoyed feeding and watching her birds, including many hummingbirds in the summer and a wide variety of birds in the winter.

Mrs. Gainer was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home, Monday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Kevin Gainer will officiate, and interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman.

The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for JoAnn Semones Gainer. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com.