Gwendolyn Faye Shoaf was the first born of five children to Charles H. Hughley and Lillian Meshack Hughley on March 3, 1933 in Santa Monica, CA.

After graduating high school at the age of sixteen, Gwendolyn continued her education at Prairie View A&M University, where she obtained her  Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Business Education.

Shortly thereafter, she returned to Santa Monica, CA and married Will J. Jones in 1953. Will, a member of the legendary rock & roll group, The Coasters, toured in several countries as they traveled the world together. To this union two children were born, Jay Arlen Jones and Jan Lavonne Jones.

After accepting a position as a Training Administrator at Stanford University, Gwendolyn relocated her family to Palo Alto, CA in the summer of 1969. Soon after relocating, she married Kenneth Shoaf in 1969.

Gwendolyn moved to Little Rock, CA in 1985 where she found a passion for fostering children. She dedicated her life to opening her home and heart to many children through the foster care program. Gwendolyn was a beacon in the community; volunteering her time and educational resources to others. She became a pillar in the foster care system as her door was always open to a child in need.

Gwendolyn passed away on August 1, 2021. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jan Lavonne Jones and is survived by her son, Jay Arlen Jones; nurtured children, Anita Borunda, Barrington Spears, Tamika McKinley, Larry Camacho-Continola, Andre & Angela Davis; loving grandchildren, Joanne Gaona, Reginald Jordan, Jolynne Lewis, Christopher Jones, Julia Sherman, Jayvon Culver and Jessica Jones-Brox; eighteen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

Gwendolyn will be greatly remembered by those she opened her doors to and missed by those whose hearts she touched.