Claire Allen Gaines

Claire Allen Gaines departed life on this earth to be with her Heavenly Father on January 30, 2025.  Born on May 25, 1945, she lived 79 years.

Claire was born in Winona, MS, to James E (Buddy) and Susan Chambless Allen.  She shared her childhood with her sister, Jane Allen Parks.

Claire taught dancing for the Susan Allen School of Dance for 50 years.  She graduated from Winona High School and the University of Mississippi and was an avid Ole Miss football fan.  She was a communicant of Shongalo Presbyterian Church in Vaiden, MS, and a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church of Winona, MS.  Claire was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.  She was a charter member of Hillfire and a member of Dance Teachers United where she served on the board of directors.  Claire also enjoyed membership in the Winona Garden Club.

In addition to her church and community service, Claire enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.  She loved her role as Mimi and attended sporting events, dance recitals, and learned all about video games from her grandchildren.  Claire and her late husband, Wayne, enjoyed attending many community events, from plays to football games.  On Fall Saturdays, Claire could always be found watching Ole Miss football with her family, usually sitting in the same chair for good luck.  She truly was a patron of the arts which is evident in all the young girls in whom she instilled the love of dance.  Claire continued the Susan Allen School of Dance legacy that her mother, Susan Allen, began.  Her girls all called her “Miss Claire,” and they will always enjoy telling dance stories with some of them teaching dance themselves. Claire was the most proud of her two daughters, Ashley and Heather.  She enjoyed spending time with them whether it was at a dance recital, a play at the Orpheum, or shopping around town.     

She is preceded in death by her husband Wayne Gaines; parents James and Susan Chambless Allen; maternal grandparents George W and Hattie Aron Chambless; paternal grandparents John Edward and Myrtle Branch Allen.

Claire is survived by her daughters, Ashley Gaines Bauch (Stephen) of Germantown, TN, and Heather Gaines Rodgers (Stan) of Winona, MS.  She leaves one sister, Jane Allen Parks (Herb) of Grenada, MS; step sons Todd Townes (Krista) of Alpharetta, GA, Blake Townes of Grenada, MS; and a brother-in-law, Bill Gaines (Jan) of Georgia.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jackson Bauch, Kate Bauch, Ella Bauch, and Reed Bauch of Germantown, TN; Gaines Rodgers of Winona, MS; Price Townes and Parker Townes of Alpharetta, GA.  She leaves her nephews Derek May (Brenda) of Germantown, TN; Edward May (Christina) of Germantown, TN; Aaron Gaines (Lauren) and Matt Gaines of Atlanta, GA. 

Claire wishes to send special thanks to Belinda Anderson, Shirley Wilhite, all the nurses at THMH and JoBeth King who provided wonderful care.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona. Rev. Philip McRae will officiate the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or online at www.stjude.org/donate.