Effie Jane Gainer, age 87, of Lakeland, FL died on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She was born in Hambleton, WV to Cecil and Edith (Chase) Pennington and was a 1949 graduate of Parsons High School.
Effie married the love of her life, Mr. William J. Gainer, Sr. on July 3, 1949 at Red House Maryland and remained happily married to him for the next 67 years, until his death on November 3, 2016. She was a member of Hambleton United Methodist Church in Hambleton, WV. until their move to Akron, OH. After moving to Lakeland she became a member of First United Methodist Church. Effie was preceded in death by husband, William J. Gainer, Sr. in 2016; her parents Cecil and Edith Pennington; grandson, Michael Steiner; siblings, Leon and Charles Pennington and Eloise Blizard. She survived by her children, Deborah (Steve) Hughes and William Gainer Jr. (Martha Bonett) both of Lakeland; grandchildren, Liam Gainer and Christine (Owen) Parry, Ryan (Jacquie) Hughes and Brent Hughes; 11 great-grandchildren, Nolan and Trevor Parry, Caleb, Tobin, Micaiah, Cyrus, Talia, Mara, Phineas, Cana and Gideon Hughes; brother, Clyde (Nancy) Pennington of Akron, OH; sister-in-laws, Barbara Whetsell, Anna Mae Gainer of Elkins, WV and brother-in-law Edward Doyle Gainer of Akron, OH.
In Lieu of flowers, Donations in memory to: Hambleton United Methodist 113 Long St. Hambleton, WV 26269. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Serenity Gardens Cemetery, Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home 3350 Mall Hill Dr. Lakeland, FL 33810
