Reverend Ferdinand Gaines Jr. Obituary (1944 - 2020)

Rev. Ferdinand Gaines, Jr. departed this life on February 29, 2020 after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family at the age of 75 years old. He was born in Gramercy, La on August 15, 1944 to Viola and Ferdinand Gaines, Sr.. Rev. Gaines acknowledged God's call to the ministry for his life, in 1958, at the young age of thirteen. Since that time, he sought to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God. He graduated from Cypress Grove High School, Lutcher, La in 1962. He attended the University of New Orleans and Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. He also received a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Union Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, LA and a Biblical Ministry Certificate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, LA. Rev. Gaines studied and was ordained for the ministry on May 29, 1969 by the Central Union Missionary Baptist Association. He served for 43 years as Pastor of First Community Antioch Baptist Church, where he began his pastoral career. He also served as Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Mt. Airy, LA from 1983-1990. Rev. Gaines was fueled by a continuing burning desire for God's Word. He was under the tutorship of Dr. Joel Gregory, Georgetown College Distinguished Fellow, Georgetown, Kentucky and Professor of Preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and Regents Park College, Oxford University, UK, since 2005. He was awarded a certificate of accomplishment in Homiletical and Exegetical Studies from Georgetown College after his first study with Dr. Gregory. In 2006, Rev. Gaines completed an intensive Tutorial Study in Proclamation of Christian Gospel entitled Proclaimers Place, which involved a special emphasis upon textual exegesis, hermeneutics, and homiletics. This study took place at Georgetown College and Marshall Center for Christian Ministry of Regents Park College, Oxford University, UK. Rev. Gaines was married to Carolyn Williams Gaines. They were the proud parents of six children and grandparents of thirteen grandchildren. He loved his wife and family dearly. He prided himself on being a great husband and father. He especially enjoyed family gatherings. He and his wife served as missionaries with other pastors from Houston TX to the Central American country of Belize. His time spent in Belize involved training Belizian pastors. He and his congregation sponsored a church in the country lending physical and financial resources. Rev. Gaines also served the community in which he lived. Serving this community was one of his greatest desires and led to the church name change adding "First Community" to the original Antioch name. His desire was that First Community would be a beacon in the local community. Pastor Gaines gave selflessly and encouraged his congregation to do so. He was instrumental in bringing the "Backpack Giveaway" to St. James Parish in partnership with "Blessed to Be a Blessing Ministries". His church sponsored local missions, community Health Fairs, annual Angel Tree Giveaways and for the past five years, an HBCU Expo. The HBCU Expo was a result of Pastor Gaines deep love for his alma mater, Southern University and other HBCUs. He loved studying and preaching God's word. He was a Christian gentleman who loved all of God's Children and spent most of his time ministering to the needs of others. He is survived by his devoted wife, Carolyn W. Gaines; six children: Kevin H. Criddle and wife, Allison Criddle; Ferdinand Gaines, III and wife, DeWanda Gaines; Lanore G. Davis and husband, Rev. Craig Davis; Connie C. Jackson and husband, Jacque Jackson; DeNora D. Gaines; and Derrin K. Gaines and wife, Sheryl B. Gaines; adopted children: George and Roxanne J. Payne; grandchildren: Dominique, Jarvis, Davon, Quindon, Monique, Anthony, Kalen, Kyle, Ryan, Jeremy, Marvion, and Kiersten; sisters: Verna Gaines Dean and LaRhonda Gaines Wilson; sisters in law: Linda W. Bailey, Beatrice M. Williams and Katherine Williams; brothers in law: Percy Williams, Edward G. Johnson, Lionel Bailey and Ron Wilson, Sr; godmother: Senoria Matthews; godchildren: Vanessa Brooks Mckarry, Claudia F. Williams and Khasei Demire Scott; and a host of other relatives and devoted friends. He is preceded in death by his parents: Ferdinand Gaines, Sr and Viola S. Gaines and grandchildren: Shannoez Webster and Coty Foreman. There will be a public viewing held on Friday, March 6, 2020 at First Community Antioch Baptist Church, 10860 Highway 3125, Lutcher, LA 70071 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. All neighboring churches, pastors and communities are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 7, 2020 held at First Community Antioch Baptist Church, 10860 Highway 3125, Lutcher, LA 70071 at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 8:00 am. Entombment at St. Joseph Cemetery, Paulina, LA. Final care entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Highway, Gramercy, LA. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE!" ***In lieu of flowers, The Family is asking that a donation be made to one of the following charitable organizations: * Amy Loidosis Foundation * National Kidney Association * Heart Association. Thank you!