Pearl Smith Whittaker Gaines

Pearl Smith Whittaker Gaines, resident of Amerisist

Assistant Living, passed into “God’s Realm” on

February 2nd . Pearl was born January 13,1917

in Middletown,Va. to William Taylor Smith and Ada

Coffelt Smith. Her mother later married George

Wm. Middleton and Pearl lived her early childhood

and teenage life with them on Berryville Pike. All

have preceded her in death. Her father, William T.

Smith, died January 20, 1964 in Baltimore, Md. He

was a member of Admiral Byrd’s 1955 “Deep-Freeze”

expedition to the South Pole as a Pharmacists mate aboard

the oil tanker U.S.S. Nespelen. Her stepfather, Mr. Middle-

ton died September 3, 1978. Her mother died Feb. 18, 1985.

Mrs. Gaines married Vance Edgar Whittaker January 31,

1934 at the First Brethren Church on Berryville Avenue.

They lived on Glaize Ave, Winchester. Mr. Whittaker was

killed December 17, 1958 driving the Winchester Rescue

Squad ambulance en-route to an ‘emergency call’. Her

son, Glenn L. Whittaker, Franklin, N.C, preceded her in

death on March 31, 2010. Her daughter, Sandra W. Baker

and husband Rev. H. Eugene Baker, Winchester survives. Pearl’s five grandchildren are: Ricky Whittaker, Marion,Va.; Diana Whittaker Johnson and Timothy Whittaker, Stephens City; Kendra Baker Sours, Frederick County and Andrea Jean Baker, Fairfax. Her daughter-in-law, Colleen Largent Rhinehardt Whittaker survives. She had four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; and three step grandchildren from grandson, Timothy and Shelly Whittaker. There are numerous step grandchildren from Glenn & Colleen, plus grand stepchildren from marriage to Bob Gaines. Her nieces are Joyce Whittaker Carden, Patty DeHaven Lewis,Jeannie DeHaven Fahnestock all of Nain, Va. and a nephew Rick Whittaker of Richmond, Va.

Pearl married Robert F. Gaines, Sr. at Reveille United

Methodist Church, Richmond, Virginia on July 4, 1975.

Her son-in-law, Rev. H. Eugene Baker, Associate Pastor of

Reveille performed the marriage. Mr. Gaines, Sr. preceded

her in death February 13, 1993. Her three stepchildren are

Carol DeLauter, Sherri Herrick, Robert Gaines, Jr. and had

seven grand stepchildren.

At age 12, Pearl became the pianist and organist for the First

Brethren Church on Berryville Avenue. Years later, she be-

came the organist and Junior choir director for the former

Montague Avenue Methodist Church. She organized the

Sacred Tones Chorus and Sacred Tones Trio, singing over

WINC Radio Station, sponsored by Omps Funeral Home

during the 1950’s. She served as a former organist for Omps

Funeral Home. Mrs. Whittaker served as the president of

Shawnee Fire Co. Auxiliary 1963-64, the Winchester Rescue

Squad Auxiliary president 1965-67. Mrs. Whittaker was

office manager for Dr. Bradford S. Bennett 1960-68, as well

as office manager for the Winchester Neurological Consultants 1968-76.

Mrs. Gaines formerly owned and operated “The Music Box” at the G&M Music Store. In 1978 she created the “limited music box” featuring the Virginia state song, bird, and flower.

Pearl was a member of First United Methodist Church, a former Sunday School class teacher, a former director of children’s choirs, the church’s Archives committee, as well as a former president of their United Methodist Women. She served different officers on the District United Methodist Women.

Family night will be held at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Street, on Friday, Feb. 4 from 6 – 8 p.m. The grave side service at Mt. Hebron Cemetery will be for “family members only where Pearl will be buried alongside of her first husband and father of their children.

The service of “Celebrating Pearl’s Life” will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 308 N. Braddock Street on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Will White and Rev. Steve Melester, former pastor,officiating. In lieu of flowers, Pearl’s requests that memorial/donations be sent to First United Methodist Church’s Memorial Fund to honor her.