Jillian Nicole Gaines, 23, of Wedowee, AL

07/17/2001-06/30/2025

Jillian never got in a hurry to do anything. She lived her best and beautiful life on her own time, and the rest of us just loved her and waited. The one thing she did too soon was leave us, at 23 years old and sooner than we were ready. Jillian was loving and cared about everyone and everything. If you loved her, you ended up with at least one deformed figurine or stuffed animal she bought because it was all alone and no one else would want it. Luckily for most of us, she kept the majority of her misfit finds.

Jillian loved her family, friends and animals. She didn't get a driver's license until she was 21 years old. She didn't have to. Enough people loved her and would drive her wherever she wanted to go. If you ever rode in a car while she was driving, you know that was for the best. We heard rumors her Driver's Ed teacher retired after her....just rumors and... we wish him well.

Jillian was proceeded in death by her grandparents, Richard and Gail Gaines of Oxford. Her Great-Grandmother, Jane Haynes of Oxford, and her great-aunt Paula Shortt, of Heflin.

Jillian is survived by her best friend and life partner, Caden Walker of Wedowee; her mother, Autumn Conaway (Roger Key) of Wedowee and father, Steve Gaines(Susan) of Oxford; her sisters, Jessica Gaines of Wedowee and Stephanie Gaines; nephew Thompson Tubbs, of Oxford; her brother, Kaden Gaines of Weaver. Jillian was blessed with three step-sisters. Lexi Key of Wedowee, Issabella Grace Cook of Oxford and Gabby Hayes of Fayetteville , NC. Jillian is also survived by her grandmother, Phyllis Conaway Willingham (Mike) and her aunts and uncles, Ashley Porteous (Patrick), Donna French(Tim), Greg Gaines(Heather), and Randall Key(Wendy). Her step-grandparents, Judy Key (Donald Sims) and Lawrence Key (Charlotte). Jillian was blessed with many cousins who loved her dearly and she loved them.

Jillian was an important part of the Walker-Sheppard family. She is survived by her mother in law, Tracy Walker, Her brother in law, Ethan Walker (Isabella Burgess), her sister in law, Ally Walker, and her paw paw and nana, Mike and Susie Sheppard. She loved this group of family loyally, and they brought her so much joy and loved her unconditionally.

Our family would like to thank the health care teams at Tanner Hospital in

Wedowee, AL and Carrollton, GA, for the excellent care they provided to Jillian and the grace they showed to all of us that loved her dearly.

Jillian truly cared for the people in her circle and outside it. She welcomed everyone into her circle, and as long as you were in her company you would feel safe, valued and seen. Jillian chose to continue to give even after her death and was an organ donor. Her gift of life to others will continue to make this world a better and brighter place.

Visitation for Jillian's family and friends will be on Monday, July  07, 2025, at Benefield Funeral Home, located at 17624 US-431, Wedowee, AL, from 11am until 1 pm. A graveside service will follow afterwards at Union Hill Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery, located at 5744 County Road 82, Wedowee, AL. Jillian's cousin, Noah White, will do the honor of speaking and providing prayer for all of those who love and cherish her. If anyone would like to say a few words, or share a memory, we welcome that. We plan on having fellowship afterwards at Union Hill Church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. Nothing fancy. We just want to celebrate Jillian and those who cared for her. Come as you are, or wear some cat ears - she would like that.

Our family is honored to have her pallbearers, Dawson Guess, Reed Guess. Logan Geier, Ethan Walker, Eric Trejo and Jacob White, carrying her to her final resting place. All of these young men had a special place in her heart.