Ola Almeta Gaskins

Ola Almeta Gaskins, 88, of Gainesville, passed away January 1, 2021 in Denison.

Almeta was born on August 23, 1932 by a mid-wife, Mrs. Cox, at home, to John Robert and Nora May (Cravens) Bellamy.  She was the 8 ^th out of 9 children.

Almeta was a share cropper’s daughter.  She loved to reminisce of her days growing up on the John Bugg Ranch, now known as the Arrowhead Ranch.  She attended the Dye community and Spring Grove Schools.  She only went to the second grade of school due to having to work in the fields along with her brothers and sisters on what she called “Uncle John’s Place.”  It was hard work but she was treated as family by John Bugg and Wendall Proffer as she worked with her family side by side in the fields.

Almeta taught herself how to read and write and became very knowledgeable on things farm related.  She passed on that self-taught, hands-on knowledge and wisdom to her family.

On July 28, 1951, Almeta married Jeffie Junior Gaskins in Gainesville.  They had three children:  Tony, Darrell, and Rhonda.

This chapter of her life took her to Garland, Texas and then on to Kentucky as she supported her husband J. in his 30-year career with Ford Motor Company.  They retired and moved back to Gainesville in the early 1980’s.

Almeta loved to dance in her younger years.  As a child, she also enjoyed hunting and fishing with her father and could out shoot all the boys.  And in her later years, she still drove to her favorite hangout, the Queen of Hearts Gameroom where she had many friends.  She also enjoyed going to the casino.  She was the backbone to all of her family and loved to go out to eat; her favorite was eating catfish.

Most of all, Almeta loved, and would do anything for, her family.  She leaves behind her two children:  Tony Gaskins (Brenda) of Gainesville and Rhonda Vanhoozer (Darrell) of Callisburg; grandchildren:  Cheryl Meyers (Coby), Curtis Vanhoozer (Sarah), Jennifer Bridges (Jody), Carla McBride (Dustin), Tanya Vanhoozer; great-grandchildren:  Ryan Meyers (Kala), Justin Meyers (Kodee), Meagan Vanhoozer, Hannah Vanhoozer, Logan bridges; great-great-grandchild Ryder Meyers

Mrs. Gaskins was preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings, her husband Junior, son Darrell Wayne Gaskins, and grandson Daniel Wayne Gaskins.

A visitation will be held for extended family and friends at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday January 5, 2021.  Due to COVID, the immediate family will not be present at that time and will hold private services.  Almeta will be laid to rest in New Resthaven Cemetery at a later time.