David Henry 'Sweetie' Gaines, 69

COLUMBIA - David Henry "Sweetie" Gaines of Columbia departed this life Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, after a brief illness. He was 69.

David was born Aug. 31, 1937, in Columbia, the youngest son of nine children born to the late Randolph and Annie (Steward) Gaines.

He attended Owens Center 213 Elementary School, Columbia, and was a graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar School, Laurel. He also attended William C. Jason High School in Georgetown.

After many years of dedicated service to the family and business of G. Holland Twilley & Son, David retired in 1999 as a construction foreman.

On July 27, 1963, he was united in holy matrimony to Mable Louise Horsey, the love of his life, to whom he was completely devoted. They shared a special bond that was a true blessing from God.

David was an active member of Mount Nebo United Methodist Church, Columbia, where he willingly served as an usher, trustee and Men's Day chairperson, and as a faithful volunteer for the Soup Kitchen, which served many sick and shut in within the surrounding communities.

He was also a member of Queen of Sheba Chapter 4 O.E.S., Laurel; Past Master of the Morning Star Lodge 10 F. & A.M., Laurel; and Grand Junior Steward of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, State & Jurisdiction of Delaware.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Helen Goslee, Elizabeth Thomas, Margaret Brown and Vivian Beckett; and four brothers, Carlton, Irving, Gurney and Tennyson.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 43 years, Mable Louise Gaines of Columbia; two sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Brown of Hebron and Peggy Ann Layton of Chester, Pa.; two brothers-in-law, William Horsey and his wife Hazel of Hebron and George Beckett and his wife Rosie of Frankford; two nieces who were raised as his sisters, Cleo Henry of Dover and Regina Batson of Seaford; her adopted family, Evelyn Twilley and her children, Lori and Robert Campbell and Dale and Lynn Twilley; four Godchildren, Denise Allen and her husband Jesse, Paul Hudson, Eboni and Jazlyn; her devoted friends, Rosemary Hudson, Gorman and Gladys Goslee, William and Cecelia Dennis, and the Rev. Joe and Janice Austin; her close family friends, the Cooper family; and a host of nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, many other relatives and friends.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in Mount Nebo United Methodist Church, Columbia, with memorial and Fraternal services beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, with a viewing one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements by Stewart Funeral Home.