Vincent Charles Gainey

Posted on June 15, 2022

The Witness

On Monday, June 6, 2022, Vincent “Charles” Gainey, a man after God’s heart, went to be with the Lord.

Charles was born on Dec. 12, 1960, in Jacksonville. His parents were Joe and Vera McCarthy Gainey.

Charles and family lived in Perry during his formative years and were active members of the Church of God.

As a youngster, Charles would stand and preach to visitors and his grandmother proclaimed he would someday become a preacher.

As a teenager, Charles set his sights on playing football for the Taylor County Bulldogs. However, at the age of 14, Charles experienced flu-like symptoms and it was common practice to take aspirin. There was a potential correlation not well-known at the time of developing Reye’s Syndrome when taking aspirin to treat flu symptoms. Consequently, Charles developed Reye’s Syndrome, which caused his brain to swell and the prognosis was death within 24 to 48 hours or survival in a persistent vegetative state.

After 74 days in a deep coma, Charles began to show signs of waking up. The recovery was slow, but after a few weeks, Charles awoke and initially could not walk and permanently lost most of his vision with the exception of having tunnel vision in one eye.

This experience challenged Charles’s faith but set him on a course of accomplishment and development of a deeper faith and walk with the Lord.

He went on to graduate with high accord from Taylor County High School, North Florida Community College with “Who’s Who” junior college acknowledgment, Florida State University with a BS in psychology, and Florida State University with a master’s degree in social work.

Additionally, as his grandmother Gainey had predicted, Charles also became a licensed minister of the gospel, and he avidly studied the Bible.

As part of Charles’ personal life and ministry, he worked as a substitute teacher, volunteered at ECHO Food Pantry, volunteered at The Apalachee Center, volunteered at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, and passed out Witness Letters termed Through Death’s Valley as part of his campus and city ministry.

Charles was independent and on any given day, one could see Charles with his cane at bus stops all around the city of Tallahassee with a pocket full of Witness Letters for distribution.

From time-to-time old friends would stop at the bus stop and say hello. His Witness Letter relayed the essence of the gospels, salvation, and the second coming of Christ.

Charles was also a prayer warrior for family, friends and as well as prayer requests received by the Celebration Baptist Church of Tallahassee (Celebration).

As part of the Body of Christ, the church members of Celebration unconditionally loved and supported Charles.

Charles was an avid football fan, both college and professional. With his sense of humor and restricted vision, he would often say he was going to watch the ballgame on the radio.

He was an admirer of both Coach Bobby Bowden and Coach Mickey Andrews. Charles once contacted Coach Bowden and requested he preach at the Church of God and he obliged. Coach Bowden spoke on how God used imperfect men (Moses, David, Paul, etc.) to do great things.

Charles is survived by: his sister, Ellen G. Yon (Ken); his brother Joseph Gainey (Jane), Sara McClellan, Felix ‘Sean’ M. Adams II, Terri Kay Gainey, Jan Gainey-Williams (Craig), Amy Gainey, Michell Gainey, Kenneth Yon Jr. and Kimberly Yon; cousins in the U.S.A., and family members in Canada.

Charles was predeceased by: his father, Joseph F. Gainey; his mother, Vera McCarthy; his grandparents, Charlie and Francis Gainey; his step-mother,Tillie L. Gainey; his uncle and aunt, the Reverend Jack and Betty G. Oliver; and his nephew, Felix M. Adams Jr.

If Charles could speak to you today, he would say you are just passing through this life so set your priorities. We are all sinners and fall short. God fulfilled the promise of a new covenant with mankind with the first coming of Jesus Christ, the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross to pay for your sins, and with his resurrection.

Jesus is the bridge between God the Father and mankind. “Accept” Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, have your sins forgiven and paid in full, and receive the gift of eternal life in heaven. The good book says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Be faithful and praise God!

On Thursday, June 16, visitation and funeral services will be held at Celebration Baptist Church in Tallahassee. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Followed by funeral services at 2 p.m.

Graveside services will be held Friday, June 17, at at Woodlawn Cemetery in Perry, beginning at 11 a.m.

Beggs Funeral Home in Tallahassee is directing the funeral services.