Lillian C. GAINEY

SMITHFIELD - Lillian Clark Gainey, 87, a resident of Smithfield, passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in her home.
She was the widow of Ellis Cleon Gainey. Born March 15, 1922, in Sussex County, she was the daughter of the late Henry Thomas Clark and Marion Lucille Gay Clark. Mrs. Gainey was a resident of Petersburg for 45 years and after more than 25 years of service with F. W. Woolworth, she retired to her cottage by the river at Burwells Bay in 1985. She loved nature, her family, and her church family at Mill Swamp Baptist Church. She led a courageous battle against her physical limitations and remained a true inspiration to everyone she knew.
Mrs. Gainey is survived by two daughters, Sandra G. Bryant and Linda Kay Gainey of Alexandria; grandchildren, Sheila B. Epperley (David) and William R. "Ronnie" Bryant Jr., (Sheila); five great-grandchildren, Jeremy and Lauren Epperley, and Ellis, Emmie, and Evvie Bryant; two sisters, Lucy Melton (Kenny) and Gladys Woolridge (Tem), both of Richmond; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by three sisters, Audrey C. Hancock, Ethelle Browder, and Mildred Clark; and a son-in-law, William R. "Billy" Bryant Sr.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Mill Swamp Baptist Church, 6329 Mill Swamp Rd., Ivor, with the Rev. Jim Jones and the Rev. Billy Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in Mill Swamp Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight,
at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to Mill Swamp Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Becky Munford, 8100 Mill Swamp Rd., Ivor, VA 23866; or Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 97, Smithfield, VA 23431. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorriss.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.