Phyllis Gaines Obituary

The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Kathleen "Kathy" Gaines, 74, of Adams, TN passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025, at her residence. Kathy was born in Scottsville, KY on July 15, 1950, and lived in Indianapolis, IN as a child but later returned to Scottsville and Nashville, TN until she graduated high school. She attended Austin Peay State University and MTSU graduating with a BS degree. She received her MS from the University of Tennessee and doctorate from Andersonville Theological Seminary. She also graduated the Ministerial Course of Study at Emory University and the Advanced Course at Duke University before retirement. Kathy was a licensed Clinical Social Worker, Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and local pastor in both the Kentucky Annual Conference, Tennessee Annual Conference, now TWK of the United Methodist Church. She served churches as pastor from 1999 until 2021. A minister of word and order and a clinical cognitive therapist, Kathy shared the ministry of hope in the Lord and healing everywhere she was appointed. Her love and faith in God gave her great joy, but her greatest joy was in helping others see God and the truth of His Word. Kathy's life reflected a deep love for her family. She deeply respected her mother and father and brought their example of Christian teaching and respect into her 49 year marriage to Rev. Erwin L. Gaines, also a United Methodist pastor, now retired. Together they raised two daughters: Penny and Melissa and a son, Erik. Ministering meant the family often moved from extended family, though visits kept them all in touch and close friendships were built everywhere they went. Our family grew exponentially when Penny married Paul, Melissa married Michael and Erik married Jen, and life was filled with the joy of friends, family, loved ones and most especially her grandchildren. She was a daughter of the late James Cedric Norris, Sr. and Fonda Faye Sanders Norris.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years: Erwin L. Gaines;
2 daughters: Penny Denson and husband, Paul, and Melissa Strautman and husband, Michael;
1 son: Erik Gaines and wife, Jen;
3 sisters: Gayla Baggett and husband, Don; Judy Lowe and husband, Eddie and Sandy Hughes and husband, Chuck;
2 brothers: Jim Norris and Chuck Norris and wife, Vivian;
17 grandchildren: Robert, Cody, Celia, Nick, Zac, Hannah, Lily, Caleb, Jaron, Gavin, Chloe, Gracie, Elias, Amelia, Claire, Parker and Hayley;
9 great grandchildren: David, Elijah, Tina, John, Boone, Finn, Bennett, Miles and Lana;
Extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Goad Funeral Home with Rev. Bob Hargrove officiating and burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday until funeral time at Goad Funeral Home.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Rev. Dr. Phyllis Kathleen "Kathy" (Norris) Gaines, please visit our floral store.