Dorothea Gaines

On Saturday, April 11, 2015, the Lord picked from his lovely garden our loved one, Deaconess Dorothea Puller Gaines. She was born on April 16, 1943 to the late Alfred L. and Sarah E. Puller in Richmond, Virginia. She was educated in the Richmond Public School system. She was lovingly called “Tee” by her family and friends. She accepted Christ and became a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 1967 during the pastorate of the late Reverend Jacob Taylor, Jr. She served her church faithfully and was a member of the Senior Choir where she served as secretary; member of the Hospitality Ministry serving as chairperson, and Deaconess Ministry, where she served as secretary; and a member of The Young Matrons. Her other affiliations were being a former member of the Beacon Light United Order of Tents and the NAACP. On October 8, 1966 Dorothea married Aubrey Gaines, Jr. and enjoyed 46 years of wonderful marriage before his death. Dorothea was employed by ARA Food Service as a Manager for many years and retired from there. She was also an entrepreneur as she and her sister were owners of Dot and Dee’s Restaurant and served what is now known as the Carytown Community for many years. Tee’s personality was what we could describe as a virtuous woman. She was a loyal and devoted wife, a devoted sister, aunt and a very family oriented person. She had a warm personality and a love for people. She possessed a quiet disposition and those who knew her could attest that Tee was one that never raised her voice. However, she had a way of standing firm and being strong in her convictions. When she made up her mind that she was going to do something she did it with perfection. She touched the lives of so many people and she will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey H. Gaines, Jr. She leaves to celebrate her homegoing her devoted sister, Delores M. James, devoted nephew, L. Na’eem Akbar (Mary) “Lloyd and Liz”; nieces, Virginia Lowe (Joe), Shelia Hopkins (Evans), and Larry Webster (Shelia); stepchildren, Mario D. Gaines, Andre Smith (Shelia); Shelly DiPitros, Stacy Crew and Elaine Ward; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We thank God for her life and the inspiration she was to everyone. “Today we will collect our fond memories and hold dearly the part of her that has been given to each of us, so that in the days to come, we will join her in rejoicing, knowing that someday we will meet again. On that day, our tears will be wiped away, and we will join her in the great celebration of love, joy, peace, and eternal life with our savior.”

Tributes

Dorothea Gaines

April 16, 1943 - April 11, 2015