Mr. Clarence Gaines

Homegoing Services for Mr. Clarence Gaines of Tampa, FL, who passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Faith Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 2916 Orient Rd., Tampa, FL 33619, with Pastor Ricky Pierce, Officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Mr. Clarence Gaines was born on July 1, 1931, in Tallahassee, FL, to the union of Sarah Thompson and Theodore Gaines. He received his formal education in Tampa, FL. He served in the United States Air Force for 22 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1973.

He married the love of his life, W. Nara Gaines, on October 24, 1952. To this union, 3 children were born: Clarence, Liz and Alicia.  After many years of traveling with the US Air Force, he retired to Tampa, FL, in 1973, where he worked at the James A. Haley VA Hospital for 20 years before retiring in 1993.   This marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Clarence served many years at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. C.P. Epps and later became a dedicated member of New Bright Morning Star under Pastor Ricky Pierce.

Clarence’s PHA Masonic order/family affiliations include: Past Master of Hillsboro Lodge No. 242, Prince Hall Masons, Past Grand High Priest of Joshua Chapter No. 32, Holy Royal Arch Masons, Sublime Prince of Sunshine City Consistory No. 147 and Past Potentate of Harram Temple No. 23, Prince Hall Shriners. 

He enjoyed traveling with his Masonic Organizations, spending time in his yard and cherishing time with his family and extended family.

Clarence is preceded in death by his beloved family members: parents, Sarah Thompson and Theodore Gaines; brothers, Roscoe Gaines and Ben Singletary; sisters, Drucilla Singletary, Verdelle Sullivan, Estella Jones, Bennie Mae Snipes, Audrey Galimore and Vera Luckey.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories to be forever held in the hearts of: his son, Clarence Gaines, Jr. (Brenda) of Crestview, FL; daughters, Nara (Liz) Gray (Don) of Thonotosassa, FL, and Alicia Haynes (Michael) of Valrico, FL; grandsons, Michael Gaines, Nathanael Gaines of Severn, MD, Donta Gaines (Sabrina) of Crestview, FL, Dominique Gaines (Meafou) of Fayetteville, NC, and Dwan Gaines of Crestview, FL; granddaughters, LaVonya Sanborn (Brian) of Severn, MD, Tynisa Gaines of Dallas, TX, Delicia Seymore of Tampa, FL, LaTasha Gaines of Crestview, FL, and Shontelle Seymore of Tampa, FL,  great-grandsons, Brian Sanborn (Alexis) of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Brice Sanborn (Melisa) of Severn, MD, Nathanael Gaines, Jr. (Carmen) of Killeen, TX, James Jones of Tampa, FL, and Carlton McCullah of Crestview, FL; great-granddaughters, Valesia Gaines (Randritz) of Severn, MD, Aaylia Gaines of Crestview, FL, Nara Gaines of Fayetteville, NC, Layla Gaines of Crestview, FL, Nandi Gaines of Fayetteville, NC, and Angel Wise of Crestview, FL and great-great grandson, Kelly Sanborn of Severn, MD. ; brother, Billy Singletary; sister, Alberta Ellison; extended family, Goddaughters, Rosemary-Pennington Wright (Jim) of Urbana, IL, Veronica Williams (Lanier) of Atlanta, GA, Lori LaFayette (Michael) of Tampa, FL, Padrica Jackson of Tampa, FL, and Tonetta Heath of Dayton, OH; Godsisters, Ethel Hayes and Mattie White of Tampa FL; good friend, Elliott Pyles of Tampa, FL.  Additionally, he is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, Masonic Family and endearing friends who will fondly remember his Strength, Pride, Loyalty to God and Loyalty to his Family.

Special Love and Thank you to his health care workers:  Salena Davis, Tarita Williams, Monica Rodgers, Margrete Harris, and Vanessa Carswell, all of Tampa, FL.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners http://www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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