Rosa Gaines

Mrs. Rosa Nell Gaines was born August 8, 1931 to the late Sadie Walthall and Fred Lord Gray of Jefferson County. She confessed hope in Christ at an early age and united with Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist- Fairfield. In 1958 she relocated to Bessemer, Alabama and united with Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend B.B. Strouder for several years. She later returned to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist under the leadership of Reverend Lestor E. Avery. She had a passion for the youth of the church and the Virginia Evans Bible Class. She was married to the late Mark Gaines. To this union five children were born. She was also preceded in death by: her siblings, Lewis Walthall, Clarence Gray, Lonnie Gray, Howard Gray, Charles Gray, Jenny Steele, Susie Small and Minnie Lee Black; one son, Alvin Gaines; and one great granddaughter Brooke Binden. She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, Connie Allen of Birmingham, Alabama, Trudy Cook Godwin of Bessemer, Alabama and Lillie Frances of Conyers, Georgia; two sons, Marvin (Phyllis) Gaines and Michael (Janice) Gaines both of Bessemer, Alabama; one brother, Curly "Carl" (Lansenia) Steele of Fairfield, Alabama;daughter-in-law, Gloria Gaines of Montgomery, Alabama; three sister-in-laws, Blanche Walthall, Ellire Gray and Susie Samuels; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.