Ann Gainey

Ann Dewease Gainey, 95, passed away peacefully at home, on September 12, 2016 with loving members of her family surrounding her. She was born March 21, 1921, in Fitzgerald, Georgia. She was the daughter of Jesse J. Gainey and Leah Augusta (Sipple) Gainey, both deceased, and was the eldest of 3 children: her brother, James T. Gainey died April 4, 1993 and her sister Patricia Gainey, of Thomasville, survives. Ann graduated from Thomasville High School in 1939, and received a scholarship to Swinney Conservatory of Music from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri, alma mater of her mother, Leah Sipple Gainey. Ann received her Bachelor of Music degree in 1943. She majored in piano with a minor in organ studies. In 1951, she furthered her professional music education by receiving her Music Master’s degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She was active in GMEA, and was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Society, and Tau chapter of Phi Beta Music Fraternity. She was certified by Georgia Music Teacher’s Association and Music Teachers National Association. Miss Gainey started taking piano lessons at age 4 from her mother, who taught piano for 40 years. “I never thought of doing anything else but teaching music,” she once said. “Each child is different and teaching music is the most challenging and rewarding work I can imagine. When I see students developing, it’s fascinating.” Her career in teaching and performance spanned close to 70 years. Miss Gainey taught private piano lesson to all ages of students, beginning in Thomasville, then in Bainbridge, Thomaston, Albany, and Wesleyan College at Macon and taught 20 years in Atlanta and Decatur. She also taught at Reinhardt College in Waleska. In 1979, she returned home to Thomasville and taught private lessons until she retired in 2014 at the age of 93, due to failing eyesight. She was a church organist for many years. While in Atlanta, she served as organist at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur. When she returned to Thomasville, she served mainly two churches, full-time for many years at First Church of Christ Scientist and part-time at First United Methodist Church. She played for many weddings, many recitals, and many musical events. In addition to her music career, her other passion was painting. She painted in watercolors, acrylics, and oils. One of her prized possessions was a huge, framed brass rubbing that she did in Westminster Abbey in London, 1972. Miss Gainey organized many recitals for her piano students. She would hold these recitals twice a year, to encourage their confidence in performing and to play for their families and friends. She commented once to her sister that she was happiest when she was teaching music to her young students. She was a Life Member of Post 31, American Legion Auxiliary. She was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church, and currently a member of Thomasville First United Methodist Church, where the family had a membership beginning in 1928. Her grandfather, Rev. Bowman Dewease Sipple, was a Methodist pastor in Missouri for many years, active in pastoral work until around 1930. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at Allen & Allen Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Bob Dixon will officiate. Burial will be in Laurel Hill, Thomasville. Graveside services are pending. Friends may respond with greetings online to Allen & Allen Funeral Home at www.allenfh.com . Memorials can be made to the Methodist Children’s Home Macon, Georgia PO Box 2525, Macon, GA 31203.