Peggy Welch Gainer, of Covington, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 92. Born October 6, 1926 in Cottondale, FL, Mrs. Peggy Gainer died peacefully in her home on May 12, 2019 surrounded by the love and affection of her family, friends and community. In her earlier years, "Miss Peggy" graduated Valedictorian from Cottondale High School in 1944. She went onto to be a member of the second graduating class of Florida State University (formerly known as Florida State College for Women) earning a BA degree in Music with honors in 1948.
Following graduation from FSU, she married her high school sweetheart, James Samuel ("Sam") Gainer on September 3, 1948. They subsequently "fell in love" with the Covington/Newton County area, moved here in 1949, and never left. Once settled, she devoted herself fully to raising a family and contributing to her community. She had a deep and abiding love for her church, Covington First United Methodist Church, where she devoted countless hours of work and service for seventy (70) years. She was a founding member of the Newton County Hospital Auxiliary (now Piedmont Newton Hospital Auxiliary) to which she provided support and leadership for over fifty (50) years. She was later honored for her contributions to the auxiliary by the naming of its volunteer services office as the "Gainer Center".
But her life was not defined by her many accomplishments; rather, her life was defined by the way she lived it. She led by example, not by words. Her love was not so much spoken as it was shown. In the end, her legacy will not be measured by her many achievements but by the generations of people influenced, touched and shaped by her love and her life. God received a very special addition into Heaven this Mother's Day. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.S. (Sam) Gainer; and parents, L.E. and Estelle (Gilmore) Welch.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Jim and Joy Gainer of Savannah, GA, Rev. Gil and Denise Gainer of Covington; grandchildren, Jennifer Patrick (husband – J.D. Patrick), Beth Hartsock (husband – Brian Hartsock), Sam Gainer, III, Tori Bridges (husband – Matthew Bridges), Emily Gainer; great-grandchildren, David Patrick and Kate Patrick, Henry Hartsock and Emma Hartsock; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service for Mrs. Gainer will be held Thursday, May 16, 2019, 3:00 P.M., at Covington First United Methodist Church, 1113 Conyers Street NW, in Covington, with Rev. Dr. Douglas Gilreath, Rev. Dr. Jan McCoy and Rev. Dr. Royeese Stowe officiating. Interment will follow in Covington City Cemetery, Davis Street, in Covington. Friends may visit with Mrs. Gainer's family at the church, two hours hour prior to the service, from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church in Covington.
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