Lenton Gainey
Lenton Gainey, fondly known as “Uncle Bud” to his family and friends died November 8, 2014.
He was born March 23, 1920, to the parentage of the late Ebb and Bertha Johnson Gainey. He was educated at King’s Chapel A.M.E. Church school where at an early age he joined the church.
He was taught by Mrs. Eulady C. Thomas in what was then called Adgateville. After completing school, he was drafted in 1943 into the U.S. Army, and rose to the rank of Buck Sergeant.
Upon leaving the Army, and attending Veteran School, Mr. Gainey had high hopes of leaving Jasper County. Washington D.C. was his desired destination for himself and his mother, Bertha. However, his mother wouldn’t leave her daughter behind. Lenton began working as a driver for Benton Supply Company in 1946 under the leadership of Mr. L.O. Benton, Jr. In 1948, he met Martha Battle. He said her smile drew his attention and they were married February 27, 1949.
Lenton loved his church. He always sought donations to improve the church. On Wednesday afternoon, you could always find him cutting grass and cleaning the church. In the early 1960s, he sought members to build up the Bright and Morning Star Lodge, where he served as president and Grand Master.
In the 1960s and 1970s, he became an activist for equality. He was the first black elected to the Jasper County Board of Education; the first black elected as a Notary Public Ex-Officio of the Justice of the Peace; first black elected to the Board of Registrars, and first black employee at Benton Supply Company.
When the store closed in 1974, he became an attendant and chauffeur for Mr. L.O. Benton, Jr., and Mrs. Margaret Benton until their deaths.
In 1994, he was instrumental in changing the church name King’s Chapel A.M.E. to King’s Chapel Community Church. He was a member of the Bonner Street Civic Club, the Citizen’s Improvement League and was named the League’s Man of the Year in 1978.
Lenton was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lurlene Gainey Sands and Geraldine Gainey Sands; brothers-in-law; Albert and Lucian Sands, Sr., Henry and Roosevelt Battle, and George Rich; sister-in-law, Leila B. Jackson; mother-in-law, Ella McMichael; two nieces, Edna S. Pennamon and Christine S. Lambert; two nephews, Lucian Sands, Jr., and Marvin Sands, Sr.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife, Martha B. Gainey; goddaughter/niece, Drucilla Barron (Danny); three special nieces, Tomasia Ammons (Ellis, Sr.), Tonia Russell, and Delphine Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Benton III and family; four sisters-in-law, Ventry Rich, Mildred Rogers (Earnest), Vernice Battle, and Janie M. Battle, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Smith & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.