Mrs. Vernell Johnson Gainey

Mrs. Gainey was born in Leesville, SC on August 17, 1933 and departed this earthly life on Monday, June 2, 2014 at the Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC. She was the fifth of eight children born to the late Willie B. and Pearl Elizabeth Lytes Johnson. At an early age, she was baptized at her family church, New Hope CME in Lexington, SC. Later in life, she joined the First Nazareth Baptist Church, where she was a member for over twenty years. While at first Nazareth, she served in many capacities including: Missions Ministry, Sunday School, and wherever her gifts and talents were needed. She was educated in the public schools of Lexington County, graduating in the class of 1951 from the Hampton School in Lexington County. She also completed computer courses at the Logan Adult Education Facility. She was employed by the Columbia Urban League for over twenty-five years where she encouraged and counseled all who entered the Urban League. She was the first person seen when entering the Urban League. Mrs. Vernell Gainey cared for her mother, her sister and she took care of her grandmother, “Kitty” for many years. She always made people feel special. She possessed a genuine smile and was the representation of what the Urban league stood for—helping others be empowered. In her spare time, Mrs. Gainey enjoyed being with her very dear friend Alma Ray McCants, traveling and spending family time especially, July 4th and Thanksgiving Holidays. She was a strict disciplinarian, tenacious in the protection of her family and even after corrections, encouraged you to lead and not follow—one’s self esteem was unshattered. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, James Spry; two brothers, Nathaniel Johnson, Vergenus “Bo” Johnson; two sisters, Florence Lindsey Briggs and Adell Freeman; two grandchildren, Sonya Gainey and Melvin F. Maxwell. She leaves to cherish precious memories, six sons, Robert (Barbara) Gainey, Lewis Gainey, Ricky Gainey, Jimmy (Mary) Gainey, Gregory (Cathy) Gainey, and Jamie (Lenise) Gainey; daughters, Brenda Sue Mack and Linda Faye Dollard; and Dierdre Johnson, whom she raised as a daughter, sisters, Lavata Baker (Fred), Leatha Ruth Johnson, Violetta Johnson and Betty Elder (who was raised as her sister); twenty grandchildren; thirty-seven great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; daughter friends, Cheryl Odom Gainey and Marilyn Jennings and a host of nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Services will be held 10:00 AM Friday, June 6, 2014 at First Nazareth Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the New Hope CME Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Thursday, June 5, 2014 at Palmer Memorial Chapel.

Mrs. Vernell Johnson Gainey

August 17, 1933 - June 2, 2014