On Friday morning May 31, 2019, Deacon Cornell Astor Gaines, Jr., 72, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home. Born to Annie Pearl and Cornell A. Gaines Sr, on May 24, 1947 in Laurel, Mississippi, Cornell was the eldest of their seven children.

Educated in the Laurel public school system, Cornell entered into the US Army directly after graduation. A member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Cornell fought in the Vietnam conflict before returning home to continue his education.

With degree in hand, he entered the workforce primarily working for energy & nuclear power stations.

In 1984 his journey lead him to Virginia where he eventually met in married his darling wife, Jean. Though his career took him from state to state, they planted their roots in Mineral, VA and raised their four  children with the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Preceded in death by his parents, Annie Pearl and Cornell A. Gaines Sr, and his mother-in-law, Celia W. Coleman, Deacon Gaines leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife of 33 years, Jean; his four children, Octavius Gaines (Linda) of Richmond, VA, Lashawn Coleman of Charlottesville, VA, Shalier Gaines of Mineral, VA and Parres Davis (Anthony) of Richmond, VA; five grandchildren, Raekwon Drummond, Anastasia Gaines, Acacia Scott, Erick Gaines, and Selina Davis; one great grandchild, August Drummond.

He is also survived by six siblings from his parents: Julia Ashford; Terry Gaines; Danny Gaines; Cecile Sumlin, Cynthia Morris, and Dwight Gaines; eight siblings through marriage: Lionel Wood, Vernon Wood, James Coleman Jr, Mary Coleman, Joslyn Shelton, Charles Coleman, Patrice Jackson, and Gerald Coleman, two special friends, Mark Almond and Mark Scott; one goddaughter Logan Scott, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Deacon Gaines' Home-Going celebration will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Rising Sun Baptist Church, 6829 Fredericks Hall Road, Mineral, Virginia.

Burial with military honors will follow in Spring Grove Cemetery Mineral, Virginia