Beloved wife, mother, aunt, Grandmother and great grandmother and sister-in-law, Gwen was born on November 18, 1933, in a house which still stands on 17th Street and 12th Avenue in Columbus, Georgia. Her parents were the late Leon Estus Lowe and Louise Esther Edwards Lowe.
She married the late George William Haines Jr. on January 8, 1954. They were married for 35 years until his passing in December 1989. She considered the most important parts of her life were being a wife and devoted Mother. The family enjoyed camping, having all the neighborhood kids over to play in the yard, and assisting with the Boy Scout Troops. All the children her kids grew up with still call her Mama Haines. Gwen and George attended every event her children were involved in, especially the years her children were in Richards Junior High School and Hardaway High School bands. All 5 of her children participated in these bands. After George passed away, she went to work for Walmart and made many friends there. She also made many handmade quilts for family and friends. Gwen was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Oglethorpe Chapter. Working on family history and genealogy were her passion. Her favorite place to visit was Savannah, Georgia where most of the Lowe family lived and were buried in the Bonaventure Cemetery.
She was a member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church and attended the Naomi Sunday School class until her health declined.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Meriam Esther Fisher; brother, Edward Arnold Lowe (Sonny); and her grandson, Michael Todd Haines and most recently her son-in-law, Richard Holmes.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Maria Haines Holmes (Richard-deceased), Gary Haines (Theresa), Todd Haines (Barbara), Scott Haines (Donna), Jeff Haines (Beth), and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by sister-in-laws, Janice Tucker, Gail Turpin (Lamar McDowell), Evelyn Haines and Brother-in-law, Ron Fisher and many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.
Gwen’s children would like to give a special thanks to all the nurses and staff at Columbus Hospice. Thank you to Jill Davis Daly for assisting in the care of our mom in her last months. Also, we appreciate the love and support of Gwen’s daughter-in-law, Beth Haines, for all the years of helping Maria with her care.
Funeral Services will be on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Chapel at Striffler Hamby Mortuary, 4701 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. Visitation will begin one hour before services. There will be a reception in the Mill Room at the funeral home following her burial at Parkhill Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Jason Wade and Steve Croft will be officiating the service.
Flowers will be accepted, or you may make a donation to Wynnton Methodist Church or Columbus Hospice.
In Memory of a Mother
I remember thee in this solemn hour, my dear mother. I remember the days when thou didst dwell on earth, and thy tender love watched over me like a guardian angel. Thou has gone from me, but the bond which unites our souls can never be severed: thine image lives within my heart. May the merciful Father reward thee for the faithfulness and kindness thou hast ever shown me: may He lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and grant thee eternal peace! Amen.
