Mary Doulphus Gaines was born August 7, 1907 to Razzie and Edith Doulphus in Perkins, Oklahoma. She was the second of seven children.

Mary attended school at Stroud, Oklahoma.

In 1923, she married William Neal, who preceded her in death. To that union were born three children.

She later united in marriage to Elmo Gaines, who also preceded her in death. To that marriage, four children were born.

She then united with the Primitive Baptist Church.

Mary departed this life on February 19, 1984 at 7:45 a.m. at the Oklahoma Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She leaves to cherish her memory four children, Leon Neal of Oklahoma City; DePriest Gaines of the home; Elmo Gaines Jr. of Oakland, California and Riby Gaines of San Francisco, California; two stepsons, Waco Brown of Marietta, Oklahoma; and Cephus Brooks of Oakland, California; three sisters, Viola Hubbard and Marie Daniels, both of Oklahoma City; and Ruth Walker of Los Angeles, California; two uncles, C. K. Cooper of Oklahoma City; Lincoln Cooper of Hanford, California; one aunt, Beatrice Malone of Hartford, California; fourteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; and many other relatives and friends.