Aubrey Howard Gaines,Jr.

On Friday,March 15,2013,the Lord sealed the book of time on our loved one,Deacon Aubrey Howard Gaines,Jr. He was born on July 13,1940 to the late Aubrey H. and Virginia Belle Gaines in Richmond,,Virginia. He was educated in the Richmond Public School system. He furthered his education in Christian ministry by attending and graduating from the Evans Smith Leadership Institute of Virginia Union University,Richmond,Virginia. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church duringthe pastorate of the late Reverend Warren A. Evans. He was ordained as a deacon and served as chairperson for a few years;he served faithfully as a member of the Church Interest Group,Resource Committee,and Culinary Ministry;regularly attended Church School,where he served as a teacher;chairperson of the Homecoming Commission,which coordinated the Homecoming and Revival activities;member of the Music Ministry serving in the Male Chorus,Senior and Sanctuary Choirs;served as Youth Advisor to the Young Adult Ministry and was affectionately referred to as "Papa Gaines"; and regularly attended Bible Study. He was an active member of the Hanover Branch of the NAACP who campaigned to keep memberships active and to keep the congregation abreast of the organization's activities. He was also a member of the Celebration Male Chorus of Richmond,Virginia. On October 8,1966 Aubrey Jr., married Dorothea Puller and enjoyed 46 years of wonderful marriage. Aubrey Jr. will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor. He had the unique ability to say things that would leave you in stitches and then sit back and appear as if he had said nothing at all. He was a loyal husband,grandfather,great grandfather,a wonderful brother-in-law,uncle,cousin,and sincere friend who touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed. He leaves to celebrate his homegoing his loving wife,Dorothea P. Gaines,two sons,Mario D. Gaines and Andre Smith(Shelia);three daughters,Shelly DiPitros,Stacey Crew,and Elaine Ward;nine grandchildren;five great-grandchildren;one sister-in-law,Delores James,godmother,Reverend Joan Armstead,goddaughter,Aria Bell;nieces,nephews,among them devoted nephew,L. Na`eem Akbar(Lloyd and Liz),a host of cousins,other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Aubrey Howard Gaines,Jr.

July 13, 1940 - March 15, 2013