Vernestene Gaines, a longtime resident of Hayward, CA, passed away in San Leandro, CA, on March 24, 2018. She was 74 years old.

She was born in Mt. Holly, Arkansas, August 17, 1943 to Mack M. Johnson and Lillie May Johnson (Bryant). Her favorite hobbies included bowling, fishing, cooking, card games, and entertaining. Vernestene graduated from Galileo High School in San Francisco. She worked as a Grocery Clerk for many years, and after her retirement was a Supervisor at Bay Cities Auto Auction. She was also a devoted long time member of First Union Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir.

Vernestene is survived by her husband of 56 years, Allen L. Gaines; their children, Kimberly, Maxine and Louis Gaines, Juanita R. Kennedy, and Lillian D. Greer; grandchildren, Marcus Mosley, Reggie Reese, Paula, Joey and Cameron Elliott, Fred Mackey, Cordale Candys, Alexis Brown, Micki Johnson, Christian Morgan; and many great-grandchildren, great, great-grandchildren, and many loving extended family and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Darlene Gaines.

Friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, April 6, 2018, from 5PM – 8PM at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary, 267 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA 94580. A Chapel Service will be on Saturday, April 7, 2018 beginning at 11AM at Grissom’s Chapel & Mortuary, 267 E. Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo, CA, 94580, followed by internment at Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward.