Carrie Lee Gaines was born Carrie Lee Cheney on March 31, 1932 in Whitfield, Alabama. As one of seven siblings growing up, Carrie spent her younger years alongside her mother, Lillie Bell Hunter, and sisters helping do whatever was needed.

In the 50’s, Carrie came to Detroit (after most of her family settled in Cleveland) where she joined the auto workforce at Ford Motor Company. Carrie would go on to have a son, Jonnie C. Gaines, in 1956, becoming the definition of a hard working single mother.

After almost 40 years, Carrie retired in ‘97 and adopted both Allen C. Gaines and Christopher A. Gaines after the passing of her son, Jonnie. Carrie became best known as ‘Granny’ by not only her own grandsons but everyone who knew and ever came into contact with her. She was more to some like a Saint, they would say.

Carrie lived a long life before suddenly passing on her 91^st birthday. We wish she had plenty more of them. Carrie took her time and had patience with everyone, always seeing the better in people no matter what. She was truly a saint. She found ways to calm you down, give an optimistic outlook even when it didn’t seem possible, and always spoke the word of the Lord himself even though she didn’t always attend church on Sundays. She taught people that, no matter what situation is in front of you, you can always succeed.

She leaves behind her two grandsons. Allen Gaines and Christopher Gaines, her 3 great-granddaughters, Aaliyah (12), Summer (11), and Amelia (3), her great grandson, Angel Gaines (5), her last living sibling and older brother, Cleveland Chaney of Cleveland, Ohio, and tons of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews as well.

We will always love you, Granny, and hope you keep watching over us.