Laura Hembry Gaines, 86, of 708 East Madison Avenue, Covington, Virginia died Monday, April 29, 2019 at Lewis Gale – Alleghany Hospital in Low Moor.

Mrs. Gaines was born August 13, 1932 in Covington, a daughter of the late Daniel and Carrie Anderson Hembry.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hunston Gaines in 1991.

She was a graduate of Virginia State University in Petersburg with a bachelors degree in Education. She then taught school in the Richmond City School System and then taught in the Alleghany County School System at the former Central Elementary School for many years.

She was a very active member of Wrightsville Baptist Church, where she served on the Deaconess Board and was the "Mother of the Church". She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the League of Older Americans and the Senior Citizens.

Surviving are her son, Daniel Gaines and Barbara Carr-Gaines of Garner, NC; her daughter, Debra Nelson, of Richmond; three grandchildren, Antonio Carr, Antoinette Bell and Angelica Carr; one brother, Benjamin Barnett, Sr. of Roanoke; one sister, Mildred Williams of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters-in-law, A. Laura Gaines of Richmond and Edith Sherman of Mechanicsville and a host of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. in the Wrightsville Baptist Church with Rev. Jerome Basham officiating.

Interment will be made in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorial donations in Mrs. Gaines' name be made to the Wrightsville Baptist Church, Wrightsville, Covington, VA 24426.