Judge Edward R. Gaines

Judge Edward R. Gaines, age 69, of Gulfport, MS died Monday, December 21, 2009, in Gulfport. Judge Gaines was born in Memphis, TN and was a longtime resident of Gulfport. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from Rhodes College (formerly Southwestern at Memphis). He received his Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and his Juris Doctor Degree in Law from the University of Mississippi, where he was a Field Representative from 1963 through 1966. Judge Gaines was an officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He was a partner in the law firm of Palmer, Stewart and Gaines from 1968 through 1986, served as Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Gulfport for 12 years and was inducted as a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation in 1996. He was a Mississippi State Bar Commissioner for the Second Circuit Court District, was Judge Advocate for the Navy League, member of the Board of Directors for the Gulfport Area Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Westminister Academy. Judge Gaines was a member of the Board of Directors of Grass Lawn (Old Spanish Trail Heritage Foundation) and "Kiwanian of the Year" in 1977. He was appointed United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi in 1986 and was a member of St. Peter's-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church. Judge Gaines was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Franklin Gaines and Gertrude Young Gaines. Survivors include his wife Deane Chrestman Gaines of Gulfport; a daughter, Cynthia Langston Gaines Lampkin; a son-in-law, Dr. Jonathan Traylor Lampkin; grandchildren, Jonathan Traylor Lampkin, Jr. and Sarah Langston Lampkin; all of Cincinnati, OH, and a sister, Joanne Howe of Loveland, CO. Visitation will be Sunday, December 27, 2009 from 4 PM until 6 PM at Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 10 AM at St. Peter's-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, where friends may visit 30 minutes before the service. Interment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. The family prefers Memorials be made to St. Peter's-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church, 1909 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501.