Vanita Jewel (Fullerton) Gaines, age 79 of Quitman, was called to her Heavenly home on Thursday, January 22, 2026.  Vanita was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana on Monday, February 4, 1946 to the blessed union on C.B. and Ruby (Pierce) Fullerton.  Vanita took pleasure in working with children and drove a school bus for the Jackson Parish school system.  She shuttled many children in Jonesboro and also Quitman during her many years of faithful service prior to her retirement.  She enjoyed spending time tending to her flower garden and loved watching her beautiful flowers grow.  Vanita loved to go out to eat with her husband and family.  She was always excited to try a new place to eat.  She loved pelicans and elephants and had a beautiful collection showcasing her favorite animals.  Vanita attended Ebenezer Baptist Church until her health would no longer allow her to.  She was a sweet, loving and nurturing wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend and will be missed by all that knew her.

Those left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband, Billy Gaines; children, Terri Smith and husband John David, Stephen Lewter; step-children, Tim Gaines and wife Libby, Kent Gaines; grandchildren, Caleb Smith, Alyssa Lewter, Ashland Gaines; brother, Floyd Fullerton and wife Nancy; sister-in-law, Carole Fullerton; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Bell and Ruby Jewel (Pierce) Fullerton; siblings, Lottie Atkinson and her husband Gary, Charlie Fullerton.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 in the chapel of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until time of service.  Funeral services are set to begin at noon with Bro. Chris Lee officiating.  Burial will follow in Beech Springs Cemetery under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Kent Gaines, David Treadway, Marty Folden, Jacob Hudson Robert Moore, Caleb Smith and Chuck Walpole.