Alma Paulette Gaines

Memorial trees planted for:

Alma Paulette Gaines

Alma Paulette (Watson) Gaines was born on March 6, 1949 in Beaufort, South Carolina. She was the youngest of seven children born to Paul Watson and Mariah (Perry) Watson. Alma grew up in Beaufort, where she attended Robert Smalls Elementary School. She moved with family to New York in the early 1960’s where she continued her early education in the public schools of New York City. She graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School, Brooklyn, NY. She attended Hunter College in Brooklyn, NY and later enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1976 where she served her country for seven years and 9 months (Dec 1976 – Oct 1984). She received her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Chapman University, Orange, CA in 1983 while serving in the United State Air Force as a Procurement Contracting Specialist. Alma attended basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, and technical training at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO before arriving at Beale Air Force Base, Marysville, CA in March 1977. Her military decorations and awards include Air Force Good Conduct Medal with One Oak Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, and Air Force Achievement Medal. While at Beale AFB Alma met Joseph Gaines, her future husband and life-long partner. They were married in Josserand, TX on July 1, 1978. From their union, they had three beautiful children - Joseph II, Kia, and Keisha Gaines. Alma was a faithful member of Cain Memorial A.M.E. Church in Bakersfield, CA, serving in the Lay, Stewardess, and Missionary organizations, senior sack food program, and in many other capacities. Along with her church activities, she was active in the PTA while her children attended school, and was a volunteer docent at California’s Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Alma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a kind friend to everyone she met. She enjoyed attending and watching sporting events. She loved to travel and was an avid track and field, basketball, and tennis fan. She was greatly admired for her kind and caring heart, constant generosity, and tirelessly visiting the elderly, sick, and shut-in. Alma was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mariah Watson, and three brothers David, Albert, and Fred Watson. She is survived in death by her husband Joseph Sr. (Bakersfield, CA), son Joseph Jr. (Ridgecrest, CA), daughters Kia (husband Oyekunle Oyeyipo, Signal Hill, CA) and Keisha (Long Beach, CA), granddaughter Otolani Oyeyipo, two brothers Paul Watson Jr (Brooklyn, NY) and Walter J. Watson, Sr (Beaufort, SC), sister Pauline Watson-Johnson (Baltimore, MD); nieces and nephews including Melvin (Colorado Springs, CO), Sandra and Donald (Richmond, VA), Carol, Regina, David, Debra, Paula, and Royce (Brooklyn, NY), Kevin (Dover, DE) and Walter Jr (Waldorf, MD), and a host of cousins and numerous friends.
March 6, 1949 - November 24, 202003/06/194911/24/2020
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Alma Paulette Gaines
Alma Paulette Gaines
8 Trees have been planted in memory of Alma Gaines.

Memorial Trees

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Tiffany & Trinity Brown

December 07, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Tiffany & Trinity Brown. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
Sending prayers filled with love and Peace.
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Regina, Carol, David, Debra, Melvin, Paula and Royce Watson

December 06, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Regina, Carol, David, Debra, Melvin, Paula and Royce Watson. Planted in Kirtland Habitat Restoration MI. Plant a tree
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Delores Dowdell and Family

December 05, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Delores Dowdell and Family. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your lossour thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Love, Joey

December 05, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Love, Joey. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
To my loving mother, Alma. I miss your humor and your laugh. A son could have asked no more from a parent. You were always my greatest support.
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Eddie Martinez

December 04, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Eddie Martinez. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
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Christi Fu

December 04, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Christi Fu. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
We send you thoughts of comfort.
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Christi Fu

December 04, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Christi Fu. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. Thanks for letting me crash your family parties over the years.
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Rachael and Donna Schmidt

December 04, 2020

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Alma Paulette Gaines has been arranged by Rachael and Donna Schmidt. Planted in Stone Fire Salvage and French Fire reforestation projects CA. Plant a tree
You are in our thoughts. Much love and respect

Trees planted