Obituary of Pearino Gaither

Funeral service for Pearino Gaither, 90, of Talladega, will be Sunday, August 28 at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church Talladega with The Reverend Cal McIntire officiating. The family will receive visitors at 2:00 at the church prior to the service. Burial will be in Pine Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum. Mr. Gaither was born in Clay County and graduated from Clay County High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II including serving in Italy. He received his BS degree from JSU and Masters Degree from Auburn University. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Mr. Gaither started his teaching career in Elba as teacher and coach and was undefeated for two years during his tenure as head coach. In 1956, he began his teaching career at Talladega High School. He later became Junior High School principal and Talladega High School assistant coach. He was Supervisor of Instruction for the Talladega City School System and later was Superintendent of Education where he served over 11 years before his retirement. The Talladega City School Administration Building is named for him. Mr. Gaither moved to Talladega in 1958. He has been a member of First Baptist Church since 1958 where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of the Sunday School Department, as well as serving on many committees. He has been involved with Carpenters for Christ and Pioneer Missions and traveled on countless mission trips including Guadeloupe, Hawaii, and Japan. He served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity as well as participated in construction of houses. Mr. Gaither has served as Past President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Talladega Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the former President of the Kiwanis Club. He was the recipient of the Frank L. Harwell Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and Talladega Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1998. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Retarded Citizens. He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Jenni Griffin (Tim), his daughter Kim Nall (Jonathan), and his grandchildren Luke Griffin, Meg Morris (RD), and Mary Kenyon and Anne Gait Nall. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Talladega or Gideons International. Pallbearers will be Tim Griffin, Jonathan Nall, Luke Griffin. RD Morris, Julian Newman, Alex Pruet, Lew Sample, and Guin Robinson. Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com