Rev. John Small Bear Gaines

1932 - 2022

Rev. John Small Bear Gaines, 90
Rev. John Small Bear Gaines walked on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at the home of his daughter, Angela M. Lamma, in Brea, California.
Born June 17, 1932 in Long Branch, New Jersey to the late Sydney and Pennello (Nellie) Sturdivant Gainey, John was raised by the late Leonard and Corileazer Sammons along with brothers Wm E. Newman and Walter Johnson after his parents were deceased.
Johnny enlisted in the U.S. Navy (1952-1956) and served during the Korean War on the USS Cascade (AD 16). He met the love of his life while on leave in Cheswold, and John and Charlotte were married in 1956. Along with having Johnny's Welding Repairs, he also worked at ILC, Standard Brands, and retired from the State Townsend Building in the 1990's. Answering God's call, he became a Local Methodist Minister in the Peninsula Delaware Conference and preached at Ebenezer Church, as well as other churches in this area. He was taken under Rev. Thomas' wing and served at Immanuel Union as a Trustee, youth leader, member of the choir, lay leader, lay speaker, and Sunday school teacher.
He enjoyed country music, especially John Denver, WWF Wrestling, dancing, gardening, camping and fishing, and karate lessons. In addition, he was devoted to his native culture and was a member of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe of NJ, the Lenape Tribe of DE, and the Committee on Native American Ministries. In 2010, he was voted as Chief of the Cherokee Tribe of DE.
In addition to his parents; he was preceded by three brothers, Wm E. (Cadillac) Newman, Walter Johnson, and Sydney Gaines; sisters, Mary Heath, Sally Cameron, and Lucille Baxter; a dear friend like a brother, Richard Quiet Thunder Gilbert; two granddaughters, Danielle Williams, and Arya M. Lamma; and a dear niece, Yvonne Gourley.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Charlotte Hughes Gaines; two sons, Vincent and Thomas of Cheswold, DE; two daughters, Angela Lamma (Michael) of Brea, CA, and Bonita McNatt of Cheswold, DE; five grandchildren, Vincent Gaines Jr. (Tiffany), Alexis Lamma, and Paige, Jaclyn, and Deborah McNatt; a dear niece who helped take care of him, Diane Hughes; close friends, Pastor Bunky, Dennis Gourley, and Tony and Jan Durham; as well as a host of family, friends and community family.
Services will be held Noon, Saturday, December 31, 2022 at Immanuel Union U.M. Church, 756 Main St., Cheswold. Visitation will be one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Immanuel Union U.M. Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Dinner following. Wearing regalia is optional. A Native American graveside memorial will be scheduled for a later date.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com