CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR Grandsons Lawrence E. Moore, Jr. Eric L. Moore Chaplain Julian C. Gaither,. LtC, USAF Christopher Gaither MichaelS. Gaither, Jr. David E. Gaither Aaron Gaither Avalaura Beharry Shuntele Gaither Swain Nadee Gaither Granddaughters Aliya Wilson Angela Gaither Andrea Byrd Erica Shockley Gaith~~:-~=.:, The FamilyofBishop a little more bearable. Ersula Crawford and Albert Our heartfelt and grateful Mrs. Betty Mitchell. appreciation is you for making this time of grief extended to the faithful caregivers, Ms. MURRAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 404-349-3000 1199 Utoy Springs Road , Southwest (com er ofCascade Rd, near 1-285) Atlanta, Georgia 30331 MKO Graphics & Printers, Inc. 404-523-1560 Sunrise May 6,1919 Sunset February 12, 2016 Saturday, February 20,2016 -- 11:00 A.M.-- WEsT SIDE CoMMUNITY C.M.E. CHURCH 2114 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia 30310 Reverend Andre C. Lloyd, Jr., Pastor, Officiating Bishop Aill Mannie, Eulogist Bishop Albert A. Gaither, 96, was born May 6,1919 in Liberty Hill, South Carolina. He was an only child born to Maggie Line Gaither. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia as a young man to live with his first cousin, Minnie, and her husband, John Lewis Willingham. He met and married his beloved sweetheart, Eddie Lou Willingham in 1938. To this union nine children were born. Bishop Gaither's military experience was in the Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Atlanta to his wife and children. Subsequently, six more children were born. Bishop's employment at Clark and Son's Grocery Store and later Anaconda Aluminum Company included many years of toiling. His religious teaching began as a child in the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina. His religious experiences continued in Atlanta in the Methodist Church and later in the Church of God in Christ. He joined Jones Avenue Church of God in Christ where he held various positions. He was called to preach in 1958 and later became pastor of LaGrange Church of God in Christ and led this congregation for many years. He returned to Atlanta and started The Temple of Praise Church of God in Christ. There, he became Superintendent of the District. In 2003, he was elevated to the office of Bishop under the leadership of Bishop Aill Mannie. Bishop Gaither had a love for people and would help them as needed. He would often go where there was a need for prayer and encouragement. Bishop Gaither's long life has included his hobby of gardening. His large, beautiful bunches of collards could be seen in his garden as cars passed along the street near his home during the Spring and Summer. He was once the neighborhood barber and cut hair on weekends. His love for people was reflected in his service to the needy. Bishop Gaither died peacefully on February 12,2016 at Atlanta Medical Center. He was predeceased by his wife of seventy-one years, Eddie Lou Willingham Gaither in 2010, daughter, Sherry L. Byrd in 2007, and an infant son, Albert A. Gaither, Jr. in 1940. He is survived by four sons, John E. Gaither, Atlanta, Georgia, MichaelS. Gaither, Sr. (Gurtha), College Park, Georgia, Reverend Arthur L. Gaither (Alfreda), Middletown, Connecticut, and Prophet Sandy Carson Gaither, Riverdale, Georgia; three daughters, Maggie L. Moore (Lawrence), College Park, Georgia, Beverly J. Wilson (Dr. Keith Wilson), Marion, Illinois, and Barbara A. Shockley (Leslie), Reston, Virginia; son-in-law, George Byrd, Burlington, North Carolina; niece, Sheila F. Boykin; nephew, Floyd Ferguson, Jr.; fourteen grandchildren, ten greatgrandchildren; special friends, Minister Beverly Jones and Deacon Dexter Johnson; and a host of other family members and friends. When a lamp is turned on, how far does the light shine? When the light of the lamp grows, how many are touched by the warmth that it gives? This lamp shinned in the hearts and lives ofmany; removed the cold ofdarkness, and gave the zoarmth of Love, Kindness, and Strength. Prophet 5. Carson Gaither PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL ............................. HYMN OF CELEBRATION .................................... ....................... Mrs. Phyllis Denson ........ Choir and Congregation The Old Testa Reverend Arthur Gaither ngregational Church, UCC Hartford, Connecticut The New Testament, John 14:1-6 .......................................................................... Minister Beverly Jones Temple ofPraise COGIC Atlanta, Georgia PRAYER...........................................................................................................................Dr. Dann Tibbs, Pastor Calvary Baptist Church College Park, Georgia SOLO .......................................................................................................................................Ms. April Johnson REFLECTIONS: (Three Minutes, Please) Mr. Tommie Dunn, Co-Worker Elder J. C. Barnw 11, Friend Pastor, United Mission COGIC College Park, Georgia Mr. Michael Gaither, The Family OBITUARY (Read Silently) WORDS OF COMFORT ........................................................................ J. R. Gibson, Sr., Pastor t Olive Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia SOLO ........................... .. EULOGY .............. .. ACKNO Mannie, Pastor Life COGIC , Georgia ;yon~t"'lorc Staff RECESSION A A Repast will be held in the L. L. rummtn' Fell'oib~;hitJ the Interment. Community C.M.E. Church following