Karen Kay Gaines, a loving mother, wife and friend to all whose lives she touched passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020. She was born July 31, 1952 in El Dorado, Arkansas to L.E. Swim, Jr. and Lorene Parker Swim. She grew up in Gurdon, Arkansas.
Kay was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1970 where she was homecoming queen and graduated valedictorian. Kay attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and was a cheerleader and member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She was a successful real estate broker in Pine Bluff before becoming a mom. She was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock and a member of the North Little Rock Junior League. Kay witnessed the presidency of Bill Clinton first-hand when she moved with her family to Maryland. While her husband served the Clinton administration, Kay volunteered in the East Wing of the White House during both terms assisting with personal correspondence for the President and First Lady.
Kay had an eye for art. For thirty-nine years, she and Mike made every Christmas special with their beautiful, handcrafted Christmas cards. This year she helped design and iconic card of her late father dressed as Santa and wearing a face mask. She was known for her incredible intelligence, but more so for her immense kindness and friendship.
Survivors: husband Michael J. Gaines, Sr.; son, Michael J. Gaines, Jr.; sister, Susan Swim Calley (Richie); niece, Dee Dee Calley Vittitow (Jay); nephew, Bree Calley; great nieces and nephews, Tony Vittitow, JoAnna Vittitow, Reese Calley and Gray Calley; other family members and friends. She had a great love of animals and will be missed by Bogie, her sweet dog and companion.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock; a non-profit mission to preserve the historic 113-year old former St. Joseph's Orphanage through sustainable farming and an active artists' community.
www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com
Kay was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1970 where she was homecoming queen and graduated valedictorian. Kay attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and was a cheerleader and member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She was a successful real estate broker in Pine Bluff before becoming a mom. She was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock and a member of the North Little Rock Junior League. Kay witnessed the presidency of Bill Clinton first-hand when she moved with her family to Maryland. While her husband served the Clinton administration, Kay volunteered in the East Wing of the White House during both terms assisting with personal correspondence for the President and First Lady.
Kay had an eye for art. For thirty-nine years, she and Mike made every Christmas special with their beautiful, handcrafted Christmas cards. This year she helped design and iconic card of her late father dressed as Santa and wearing a face mask. She was known for her incredible intelligence, but more so for her immense kindness and friendship.
Survivors: husband Michael J. Gaines, Sr.; son, Michael J. Gaines, Jr.; sister, Susan Swim Calley (Richie); niece, Dee Dee Calley Vittitow (Jay); nephew, Bree Calley; great nieces and nephews, Tony Vittitow, JoAnna Vittitow, Reese Calley and Gray Calley; other family members and friends. She had a great love of animals and will be missed by Bogie, her sweet dog and companion.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock; a non-profit mission to preserve the historic 113-year old former St. Joseph's Orphanage through sustainable farming and an active artists' community.
www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com
Karen Kay Gaines, a loving mother, wife and friend to all whose lives she touched passed away Wednesday, December 9, 2020. She was born July 31, 1952 in El Dorado, Arkansas to L.E. Swim, Jr. and Lorene Parker Swim. She grew up in Gurdon, Arkansas.
Kay was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1970 where she was homecoming queen and graduated valedictorian. Kay attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and was a cheerleader and member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She was a successful real estate broker in Pine Bluff before becoming a mom. She was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock and a member of the North Little Rock Junior League. Kay witnessed the presidency of Bill Clinton first-hand when she moved with her family to Maryland. While her husband served the Clinton administration, Kay volunteered in the East Wing of the White House during both terms assisting with personal correspondence for the President and First Lady.
Kay had an eye for art. For thirty-nine years, she and Mike made every Christmas special with their beautiful, handcrafted Christmas cards. This year she helped design and iconic card of her late father dressed as Santa and wearing a face mask. She was known for her incredible intelligence, but more so for her immense kindness and friendship.
Survivors: husband Michael J. Gaines, Sr.; son, Michael J. Gaines, Jr.; sister, Susan Swim Calley (Richie); niece, Dee Dee Calley Vittitow (Jay); nephew, Bree Calley; great nieces and nephews, Tony Vittitow, JoAnna Vittitow, Reese Calley and Gray Calley; other family members and friends. She had a great love of animals and will be missed by Bogie, her sweet dog and companion.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock; a non-profit mission to preserve the historic 113-year old former St. Joseph's Orphanage through sustainable farming and an active artists' community.
www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com
Kay was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She graduated from DeWitt High School in 1970 where she was homecoming queen and graduated valedictorian. Kay attended college at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and was a cheerleader and member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She was a successful real estate broker in Pine Bluff before becoming a mom. She was an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock and a member of the North Little Rock Junior League. Kay witnessed the presidency of Bill Clinton first-hand when she moved with her family to Maryland. While her husband served the Clinton administration, Kay volunteered in the East Wing of the White House during both terms assisting with personal correspondence for the President and First Lady.
Kay had an eye for art. For thirty-nine years, she and Mike made every Christmas special with their beautiful, handcrafted Christmas cards. This year she helped design and iconic card of her late father dressed as Santa and wearing a face mask. She was known for her incredible intelligence, but more so for her immense kindness and friendship.
Survivors: husband Michael J. Gaines, Sr.; son, Michael J. Gaines, Jr.; sister, Susan Swim Calley (Richie); niece, Dee Dee Calley Vittitow (Jay); nephew, Bree Calley; great nieces and nephews, Tony Vittitow, JoAnna Vittitow, Reese Calley and Gray Calley; other family members and friends. She had a great love of animals and will be missed by Bogie, her sweet dog and companion.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a small memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Little Rock at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Joseph Center in North Little Rock; a non-profit mission to preserve the historic 113-year old former St. Joseph's Orphanage through sustainable farming and an active artists' community.
www.cremationservicesofarkansas.com
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