Archie Garland Gaines

Archie

Garland Gaines

Archie Garland Gaines, 88, of Depot Lane, Spout Spring, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in the Salem VA Medical Center. He was the husband of Bettie Layne Gaines.

Born in Charlotte Court House on July 18, 1921, he was a son of the late Archie James and Mercedes Hodge Gaines. Garland was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, where he served as a trustee and was the former chair of the PPR committee. He was the owner and operator of Gaines Jewelry on Main Street in Appomattox from 1954 to 1987.

Garland was drafted into the Army in August of 1944 and assigned to the infantry as a rifleman; he qualified as an expert. A shell from a German tank broke both of his legs, which earned him a purple heart. Other ribbons and awards he earned were the European African Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with one battle star, Good Conduct ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory ribbon, American Theatre Campaign ribbon, the Army of Occupation medal-Europe, the Bronze Star, the World War II marksmanship award and the Honorable Service lapel button.

He was a 52-year member of the American Legion Post #104, where he received the American Legion Legionnaire of the Year award and the Americanism award in 1999.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Barbara G. Roper and husband, Stan, of Brevard, N.C., Carolyn G. Tolley, of Spout Spring, Garlene G. Daniel and husband, Kenneth Jr., of Orange, and Vickie Thomas, of Spout Spring; three brothers, Carter Gaines, of Richmond, Carl (Jessie) Gaines and wife, Ruth, and Tucker Gaines and wife, Ruby, all of Lynchburg; three sisters, Blanch Casey, of New Market, Janie Potter, of South Carolina, and Matilda Owen, of Charlotte Court House; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, in Salem United Methodist Church by the Rev. James Martin. Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by American Legion Post #104 and VFW #9855 combined honor guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Feb. 10, 2010, at Robinson Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Salem VA Medical Center for their care and concern for Garland and his family and also to Keith Hamilton for his devotion to Garland and his family.

Those wishing to make memorials please consider the American Legion Post #104, P.O. Box 584, Appomattox, VA 24522, or the Gideons International, P.O. Box 486, Appomattox, VA 24522.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family, and an online condolence may be sent at www.robinson

funeral.com.