Thomas Leland Gaines, 83, of Ripley passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023 at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 PM Tuesday evening at First Baptist Church in Ripley. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday at First Baptist with visitation at 1 PM and funeral services at 2 PM. A graveside burial service will be held immediately afterward at Asbury United Methodist Church cemetery in Ripley. Garner Funeral Home of Ripley has charge of the services.
Mr. Gaines retired from the Ripley Post Office where he worked for 33 years. He served as a Deacon at Ripley First Baptist Church for 45 years. He was a member of the Adult Church Choir, the Handbell Choir, led Bible Study Groups, and served in many other capacities within the church. Mr. Gaines went on many mission trips with adults and youth groups. He traveled to Italy on two occasions where he worked with churches in Lucca and Pisa.
He is survived by his wife o f63 years Linda Gaines and his son Michael Gaines (Stacey) of Halls. Other survivors include 4 grandchildren Mallory Worlds (Corey), Tommy Wright (Emily), J.T. Wright (Jessie) and Austin Gaines and 3 great-grandchildren Lizzie Wright, Lainey Worlds and Trevor Wright. He also leaves a sister Pamela Allmon (Eddie) of Ripley.
