Gwendolyn Eris (LaVine) Meadows

Gwendolyn E. Meadows, 93, of Rock Island, passed away on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at her home.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  An Eastern Star service will be held at 6:30 p.m.   Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in care of New Journey AME Stewardship Fund or the American Heart Association.

Gwendolyn was born on January 16, 1923 in Calvert, Texas, the daughter of Taylor P. LaVine, Sr. and Jessie Mae Tucker.  She married Ulysses Shoots and two children were born to their union.  She then married Wilburn Meadows on November 15, 1953 in Rock Island and they had two children.  Wilburn passed away April 2, 1997.  Gwen worked in the computer department  at the Rock Island Arsenal for 35 years, retiring as a supervisor.

Gwen was a woman of God, serving her whole life in the AME church.  She was dedicated member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as worthy matron.  She was also an avid bowler, serving as president in 2 of the 3 leagues she belonged to.   Gwen was also a member and past president of the Rock Island Arsenal Women's Club and 55 year member of the American Legion Ladies' Auxilliary, Unit #14.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, baking and sewing. 

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters; Michelle (Keith) Morris, Marietta, GA, Elizabeth "Ann" Thibeaux, Jacqueline Tweed, Manhattan, KS and a son, Mark (Gloria) Meadows, Rock Island; grandchildren, Camille Kelso, Rock Island and Casey (Brett) Halsey, Hoover, AL; great grandchildren, Niki Steele, Rock Island and Harper Halsey, Hoover, AL

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilburn, parents and brother, Taylor P. LaVine, Jr.

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