Shelby Jean Adams Gaines

Mrs. Shelby Jean Adams Gaines, 82, of Hartwell Highway, Elberton, wife of 65 years to Joe W. Gaines, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at her residence surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Gaines was born in Elbert County on December 24, 1937, daughter of the late Brewer Tate Adams and Bertha Fannie Rhodes Adams. Shelby was a 1955 graduate of Elbert County High School and enjoyed attending her class reunions as long as her health permitted. She was a member of Vans Creek Baptist Church and attended Concord United Methodist Church for many years. Mrs. Shelby was employed as a cashier at Dairy Queen, worked in the cafeteria at both Beaverdam and Blackwell Elementary Schools, and also alongside her husband at Joe’s Auction Barn. She loved flowers and growing a vegetable garden, taking pictures, organizing family reunions, and attending gospel music singings. “Grandma”, as she was known to her family, was taught the beauty of social media at the age of 80 and always enjoyed keeping up with her relatives on Facebook!

Survivors include her husband, Joe, of the home; children: Ronnie Gaines of Dewy Rose, Mike and Betsy Gaines of Elberton, Jenny and Tommy Stripling of Holly, Michigan, and Tim and Amanda Gaines of Loganville; grandchildren: Brad and Tracie Gaines, Corey Gaines and Carla Boggs, Justin Gaines, Caitlin Gaines and Jon DeClue, Tate and Meghann Gaines, Mason Gaines, and Walt Gaines; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings: William Adams, Virginia Nell Griffin, Woodrow Adams, Brenda Outz, James Adams, and Fannie Elizabeth Adams.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Sunday, July 26, at 3 o’clock in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Revs. Thomas Moon and Bryan Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family is at the residence and will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00p.m. on Saturday, July 25.

Flowers are accepted and contributions may be made in her memory to Concord United Methodist Church Food Distribution Building Fund, 2503 Harmony Road, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Shelby Jean Adams Gaines.