Elsie Payne Gaines, 85, of Tifton passed away Monday, April 8, 2002, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. William Beasley and the Rev. Gilbert Ramsey officiating. Mrs. Gaines was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Born June 29, 1916, in Franklin County, Mrs. Gaines was the daughter of the late Lee Payne and Ozella Wilder Payne. She served as a post office clerk in Danielsville and received a war service appointment as a rural mail carrier, where she served during World War II.
On September 5, 1948, she married Paul Gaines and moved to Tifton. When their children were old enough to take care of themselves, she accepted a position at Tifton's First United Methodist Church. She served as church secretary for eight years and served as church secretary and administrative assistance for four hears. she retired in 1981 but continued to be active in her church. She was a member of the Loyalty Sunday School Class and Circle #10. She was a member of the American Rose Society and enjoyed growing, arranging and sharing her roses for many years. She had lived in Tifton since 1948.
Mrs. Gaines is survived by her husband, Paul Gaines of Tifton; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and James S. Herndon of Stone Mountain; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kaye Evans Gaines of Tifton; one granddaughter, Megan Gaines; one sister, Lorena Payne Bond of Newport News, Virginia; one brother, John Payne of Comer; and several nieces and nephews.