Robert Earl Gaines, Sr. was born in the Providence Community in West Tennessee to the late Robert Eugene Gaines and Opal Shellabarger Gaines on February 17, 1934. He passed to eternal home on November 1, 2020 after a brain bleed.
A graduate of Bells High School in 1952, he married Janice Edwards, 67 years ago on February 22, 1953 and began farming. They had five children, the late Robert Earl Gaines, II (Charlotte), Jayne Ragon (Bill), Pat Gaines (Mary), Lisa Hall (Bill) and Paul Gaines (Linda).
Robert served in the National Guard. He worked at and later purchased Alamo Tractor Company, a Ford Tractor Dealership. He relocated that business to HWY 20. Then Robert and son, Robert Gaines, II, later opened Gaines Sales and Service on HWY 412. When asked what his profession was, he always said he was an “Iron Peddler”.
He was an auctioneer, and loved entertaining the buyers while selling (sometimes quite colorfully). At Christmas, Big Daddy auctioned gifts to the family, with the proceeds going to various charities… That’s a fun memory.
Big Daddy’s Grandchildren include Tre’ Gaines (Leigh Ann), Ashley Grice, Stan Ragon (Amy), Rob Ragon (Joanna), Katie Landers (Len), Cayce Gaines (Jessica), Daniel Gaines (Keri), Tanner Gaines (Morgan), Will Hall (Elizabeth), Grady Hall, Molly Hall (Ashton), Grant Gaines (Brooke) and Emily Gaines (B.J.). He had numerous great grandchildren.
Robert Earl and Janice were members of Cypress UMC. Big Daddy retired in June 2019 after Robert’s passing.
Serving as pallbearers will include grandsons; Tre’, Stan, Rob, Cayce, Daniel, Tanner, Grady, and Grant.
The family appreciates the many act of kindness we have received from loving friends. Big Daddy was a gentle giant who will be remembered with love.
Graveside services for Mr. Gaines will be conducted Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Cypress United Methodist Church Cemetery, 585 Cypress Church Road in Bells with Bro. Dennis Renshaw officiating and burial to follow. The family will receive friends at the cemetery from 1 p.m. until the service hour.
Memorials may be given to Cypress Cemetery Fund in Memory of Mr. Gaines.
