Bishop Otis Gaines, Sr.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1945 – MAY 17, 2023

Bishop Otis Gaines, Sr., was born to Lee and Arlie Mae Gaines, on September 26, 1945 in Transylvania, Louisiana. He graduated from Lake Providence High School in 1963. He enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served for 24 years both home and abroad before retiring in 1992.

In 1993 he heard the call and became a minister of the Gospel. Otis went on to study Theology at Dallas Baptist University and graduated with a Bachelors degree. He served as associate pastor at Morning Star Missionary Baptist church before founding God’s Regeneration Church in 2008. He served faithfully and was ordained as Bishop in 2010.

He enjoyed fishing, serving the community and proclaiming the Word of God. He was always ready with an encouraging word or scripture. He was open, friendly and never met a stranger.

Otis met Barbara in 1954. They were married on September 4, 1966, in Lake Providence, Louisiana. Together they raised three children, Beverly, Dianne and Otis, Jr.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, Bishop Otis Gaines, Sr. entered into his eternal home of Glory. He was welcomed by his wife, Barbara, mother, Arlie Mae; father, Lee, brother, Matthew (Kay); grandmothers, Inez Rayford and Clara Jackson; grandfathers, Doc Rayford and Matthew Gaines.

Otis is survived by his current wife, Linda Johnson Gaines; his children, Beverly Richard (Addis), Dianne Gaines and Otis Gaines, Jr. (Denise); granddaughters, Latoya Gaines, Arielle Pless, Danielle Mitchell (Chris), Tatyana Gaines, Jordan Gaines and Eden Riley; grandsons, Dontrell Gaines and Raphael Gaines; great granddaughters, Sierra Leggins, Jamaiah Marshall, Amerie Watson, Saniah Marshall, Victoria Pless, Khariah Jackson and Verlyssa Pless; great grandsons, Michael Barr, Issac E. Watson, Jr., Nathan Barr, Joseph Gladney, Vincent Pless, Victor Pless, Jaeden Mitchell and Ayden Mitchell; brothers, Curtis Gaines and Jack Hardy (Alexis); sisters, Gloria Leonard (Billy), Erma Daniels and Bonnie Williams (Troy), special friends and family, Roger Buchanan, Frank Colbert and a host of other relatives, loved ones and friends.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8