Dr. George W. Gaines - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 1/27/2012

USGenWeb NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb remain the property of the contributors, 
who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations.

In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents 
may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, 
when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter 
information are included.

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit.

Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors 
PRIOR to uploading to the other sites.

************************************************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
************************************************************************************************

Dr. George W. Gaines - Madison Parish, Louisiana 

From Tallulah Madison Journal, March 3, 1944

Dr G. W. Gaines Campaign Dies After Illness About Six Weeks

Dr. George W. Gaines died on February 27 at the age of 81, after an illness of some six weeks. No better 
tribute could be paid him than the following which given by Rev. Henry Rickey, pastor of the Tallulah 
Methodist Church at his funeral, which was held on February 28: "Dr. George W. Gaines, a beloved Christian 
physician of Tallulah, La., died on February 27, at the age of 81. He practiced medicine up til six weeks 
before his death.
	
"He was born in Rhea Springs, Tenn., July 25, 1862, and was educated at Carson Newman College, the 
University of Tennessee Medical School and Bellevue Hospital in New York City.
	
After practicing medicine in his home county in Tennessee, and as company doctor for an iron mine in 
Rockwood, Tenn., he moved to Madison Parish, La. in 1898 where he has lived and labored ever since.

"In 1887 he married Miss Clara Milligan, of Tennessee, who died in 1921, leaving three children who survive 
him. They are R. Paul Gaines, Mrs. R. C. Leeves and Mrs. B. C. Abernathy, all of Tallulah. 

"He was a member of the Eastern Star,the Blue Lodge F. & A. M., Knights Templars, Shriners, the Knights 
of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and the Tallulah Rotary Club. He had received his 50-year pin from 
the Masonic order. He was the first Worthy Patron of the Tallulah Eastern Star Lodge, and the first Master 
of the Blue Lodge. His three main interests though his family, his medical practice, and his Church. 
He was devoted to all three.

"His brother, Dr. John Gaines, and his sister Miss Attie Gaines both of Tampa, Florida, survive him. He had 
nine great grandchildren and eleven grandchildren. He gave his family every advantage that a loving father 
could. He thoroughly enjoyed educating one for medicine, Dr. Attie Gaines Leeves of Tallulah, his granddaughter 
and partner in the medical practice, a successful, capable young doctor. Since the death of his wife he had 
lived with his daughter, Mrs. R. C. Leeves, whose loving care helped to make possible such a long and useful career.

"It was remarkable to see a man of his age keep up with the rapid development of medical science. He was 
an excellent diagnostician. His was a rare combination of deep Christian faith, modern medical skill, and 
an intense love for his fellow-man. He was a member of the Louisiana Medical Society and an honorary member 
of the Issaquena-Sharkey-Warren Medical Society, of Mississippi.  He did an incredible amount of work in 
his office and over rough country roads in the shacks of the poor, or in the homes of the wealthy wherever 
duty called.	

"He was no less devoted to his Church. For many years he was an active member of the Baptist Church, supporting 
it generously, and serving faithfully as Sunday School teacher and deacon, and as a regular attendant upon all 
services. On January 3, 1936, he joined the Methodist Church in Tallulah under the leadership of the Rev. C. K. 
Smith. He accepted the doctrines and beliefs of Methodism with enthusiasm and sincerity, and has been very happy 
as a Methodist ever since.

At the time of his passing he was a member of the Board of Stewards. He backed the pastor in every move for the 
good of the church and the welfare of the pastor's family.

"He thoroughly enjoyed life in this world, and was amply prepared to enjoy life in the next.  His friendly, kindly 
spirit endeared him to all.

"On January 13, 1944, after a relapse from the flu, he went to a Vicksburg sanitarium with pneumonia. Other 
complications set in, resulting in a blood stream infection. Everything possible was done, including the 
administering of the powerful drug penicillin. He put up a remarkable fight, and seemed to show some progress, but 
took a sharp turn for the worse two days before his death. He died as he had lived peacefully and secure in his 
faith in God.

"It is a privilege to have served as his pastor. We cherish his memory, and look forward to seeing him again in that 
place God has prepared for those who love Him.

"His pastor was assisted in the funeral services from the Methodist church in Tallulah February 28, by Rev. C. K. 
Smith, of Shreveport, and Rev. H. M. Johnson, of Monroe."

After the funeral services at the Methodist church, the remains were taken to the Silver Cross Cemetery here 
where interment took place with Masonic honors, conducted by W. R. Fogle, of Minden, La. Pallbearers were Dr. 
L. J.  Clark, Dr. A. Street, Dr. Guy C. Jarratt, Dr. Edley H. Jones, Dr. F. Michael Smith, all of Vicksburg, 
and Dr. Joseph Whitaker of St. Joseph.

Honorary pallbearers were all his friends in Madison parish.