Gaines Harrell Mason, Jr

Gaines H. Mason Gaines Harrell Mason, Jr., 81, departed this earth for his heavenly home on Friday, October 15, 2021. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 20; 11:00 AM at Morningside Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. John Bryan and Reverend Steven Owensby. [The Funeral will be live-streamed at www.msidechurch.org (password = Mason)]. Burial will be held Thursday, October 21st, 12:00PM in Bamberg County Memory Gardens, 14836 Heritage Hwy, Bamberg, SC 29003. Gaines was born January 10, 1940 to Gaines Harrell Mason, Sr. and Martha Bernice Padgett Mason in Bennettsville, SC while his father was pastor of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church in Society Hill, SC. Gaines attended high school in Ridgeland, SC and graduated from Swansea High School in Lexington County. In 1962, he graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC. Gaines was an outstanding athlete who played all high school sports. His talents were recognized when his teammates voted him “most valuable player” his senior year. He enjoyed running track and playing baseball for Furman University. In 1960, he led the Southern Conference in stolen bases! Years later he would serve on Furman University’s Board of Trustees. During his student years at Furman he was active in numerous student organizations, including president of the senior class and vice president of the student body. Professionally, he started his career with First National Bank of South Carolina, where he worked in the Bamberg branch. There were moves to Columbia, Charleston and later, to Hartsville. In 1985, Gaines joined First Citizens Bank as the city executive in Spartanburg. He retired in 2003. Gaines’ Christian faith was evidenced in his service to his fellowman and to his community. His loyalty and devotion to his friends and family were unsurpassed. It was his joy and privilege to promote Spartanburg and to help make this community a wonderful place to live. The Urban League of the Upstate honored him in 2003 as Humanitarian of the Year. He was the recipient of the 1997 Morgan Award from United Way of the Piedmont. Gaines served on numerous boards including Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Spartanburg Residential Development Corp., Consensus Housing Committee, Downtown Rotary Club, Spartanburg Little Theatre. Gaines also enjoyed memberships in the Carolina Country Club and The Piedmont Club. He was a member of Morningside Baptist Church. Predeceasing him in death were his parents and his wife, Jane Walter Mason. He is survived by his cherished companion and kindred spirit, Angie Wallace; his sisters: Mary Elizabeth Brown of Athens, Ga; Kathleen Mason Bryan (Bill) of Cleveland, Ga.; his nieces: Celia Layman (Travis) of Harrisonburg, VA; Nancy Huiet (Frederick) of Daniel Island, SC; his nephew: Mason Bryan (Renee) of Macon, GA and several cousins. The family expresses grateful appreciation to his wonderful caregivers: Emily Monroe and Victoria Teamer. In remembrance of Gaines, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness for someone in need. Memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 897 S. Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.JMDunbar.com Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory