Pastor Gaines was a great pastor and will always be missed. 

I grew up in Emmanuel Baptist Church and Pastor Gaines was my pastor. He made every sermon interesting and was always dressed so dapper. I was sad to hear he passed. My condolences to his family and friends he was an amazing man. Thank you for bringing me closer to the Lord  and being such a big part of my childhood. may you R.I.P. 

So very sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Gaines. My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Gaines and Galen! I grew up in Barstow, ca and The Gaines family lived across the street from us.
May God bless and keep those who knew Mr. Gaines. 
(My name growing up was Margie Lynn Spencer)

I will always remember this:
How Willed his life made an impact on me as his wife.  I prayed a special "Thanks You Prayer" prayer to God for choosing Willie to marry me.  As a young girl, I remember asking God to choose a husband for me who loved Him and served him like Moses and Joshua.  As a little girl I read the Bible as a source of entertainment.  I was fascinated by Moses and Joshua.   When I look back on Willie's life as a Pastor and Leader, his life was similar. 
I am so grateful to God for His wisdom and love.  Willie impacted everyone he met in life.  I loved him so much.  Alice Gaines

Pastor Gaines was my Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church growing up. I literally grew up in the church hearing him preach. He was an amazing man and I will miss him and his sermons. R.I.P to a wonderful man. 

Just sending a correction about a submission that I just posted.   It was Emmanuel Baptist Church on White Road, not Antioch.  Please forgive me and update the message.  that is the only change I request.   

Thank you, 

David Hebert  

Pastor Gaines married Carla and myself at Antioch Baptist Church on March 28th, 1992.  Carla and I did not have "vows", per se.  Pastor Gaines gave us one to share before the witnesses to our matrimony.  He required me to say, "God hates divorce.  Carla, I will not divorce you".   He also required Carla to say, "God hates divorce.  David, I will not divorce you".  Once we verbalized the vows, Pastor Gaines made sure the witnesses of Antioch heard what Carla and I had just committed to.   The photo says it all.  As the witnesses of our marriage professed verbally that they heard what we had committed to, they also erupting into laughter as Pastor Gaines looked around for confirmation.   Carla and I remain together 28 years later.  Thank you Father for Pastor Gaines and his spiritual leadership in our young lives.  Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins.  Please accept the spirit of Pastor Willie Gaines into your Kingdom.    

Pastor Gaines thank you for being a vessel for the LORD!! You have touched so many lives!! You have earned your wings! My family, Lartrell/ Darlene Redmond and siblings send our prayers and condolences to Mrs Alice & Galen! Soo many memories we have with you! We'll see you again!! Enjoy your new mansion and being with our Savior!! We love you!!

I guess he finally got his shiny, brand new robe.
I haven't been to church in 35 yrs. But I can still see and remember him preaching. Such a loss and my condolences to his family.


My Dear Pastor Gaines 
I met Pastor Gaines his first day at Emmanuel. I was teaching vacation bible school in the old sanctuary and he came and I asked was he here to help and he said yes. I put him to work and then came Decon Little and he said,  so you have met our new Pastor and I said no, he just said his name was Willie. So that's a memory I'll never forget. We would always laugh at that. Smiles even thought my heart is sad.

Glory to God for the Life of Pastor Willie T. Gaines, loved the way he prayed for the people behind bars.
He was sick but he would text me to see if I had taken care of my business that we talked about 😍.  He will be missed, prayers will continue to go out for wife,daughter and family. Love you Dories

I am so grateful to have had the privilege of meeting such a GREAT man of God!  Papa Gaines was the grandfather to  the entire membership at Fremont Bible Fellowship (now Family Bible Fellowship).  Because of Pastor & Sis. Gaines’ example, FBF had/has INCREDIBLE leaders who have taught and modeled the way resulting in the birthing of several churches.  What a legacy!  Thank you to Pastor Gaines.  May he rest eternally in peace.....,in the presence of our God!

Your Sons & Daughters honor You, on this day and for the rest of our lives -  ‘Well done thy good and faithful Servant’!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Pastor Gaines will live on thru his sons and daughters in ministry, all those he touched after an encounter and his ability to combine biblical truths with humor....A man of honor and integrity, someone who deeply loved the Lord, his wife, daughter, and teaching, preaching and leading souls to Jesus Christ...He will be dearly missed, but those who follow in the foot prints he left behind will forever hold him close to their hearts..
Rest well Pastor Gaines

Rest Easy....
I was blessed with the opportunity to meet you at Family Bible Fellowship a few years ago. Truly a Great Man of God.

Pastor Gaines, you had a tremendous impact on my life allowing us to have drill team at church. That was a major reason for me attending church and i formed lifetime friendships because of it. The impact is still being felt here in Atlanta. 

Im celebrating the completion of your race and excited that you have received your well done. Sending love from my family to yours. Our loving  heavenly Father will bring your loved ones through one day at a time.  ❤❤❤

Dear Sis Alice & Galen you have our deepest sympathy. Pastor Gaines will always be our Pastor.  We had a lot of good times visiting in his office. We value your friendship. May you find comfort in all of the memories you have with him. 
Love Dea. Glen & Lois Shearer & Family 

R.I.P.  The best pastor ever.  Thank you for being so down to earth and willing to share you life with us.  Sending 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 prayers to the Gaines family.  

Tranformed Through Hope will miss you. Thank You.

Thank you Pastor Gaines. Forever Our Pastor

Sis. Gaines and Galen, our love for you is like a never ending river flowing from the heart of God. We may never truly know how favored each of us have been to have had our lives impacted by your love for us.  You’ve lived in a glass house without shades to hide your humanity. We have learned how to love, forgive, endure and believe by watching your faith in Christ, love for each other and your passion to see the people of God live out His principles in our lives. We are eternally indebted to you. Pastor Gaines is in the presence of God now. And God’s presence will embrace you during those moments when you miss having pastor present with you. 

Pastor Gaines, you were more than a Pastor to me and I thank you for adopting me as your son. I thank you for imparting your wisdom upon me and for showing me how to be a Christian man. You opened my eyes to a lot of things and for that I am forever grateful. You had a way of making people feel as though nothing was impossible to accomplish. I will forever hear your laughter and it makes me happy. Get the eternal rest that you earned and deserved. Job well done faithful servant!!

My condolences to the Gaines family! May Pastor Gaines Rest In Peace!

                                        My Forever Pastor.
 Not only my Pastor, Boss, Landlord, and Mentor, most importantly you were my Friend to the last day. Thanks for saying "Bye" January 20, 2019! Rest now...

OBITUARY

Willie Thomas Gaines Jr.

February 9, 1942 – January 20, 2020

Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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