Henry Leon Gaines was born to Jefferson Jones Gaines and Emily Jane Pendleton Gaines. He married Gertrude Gilbert and they had the following children: Herman Leon Gaines and Gertrude Kathleen Gaines. When his wife, Gertrude and their daughter died in 1936 in the horrible and devastating tornado of 1936, he later remarried to Lila Smith. Henry L. Gaines was the Mayor of Gainesville.

OBIT:

Ex-Mayor H. L. Gaines Dies: Services Scheduled Tomorrow.

GAINESVILLE- Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Oct. 23) for Henry Leon Gaines, 84, 529 Park Street - a Former Mayor and City Commissioner of Gainesville, who died Tuesday at his residence after an extended illness.

Services will be held at the First Methodist Church at 11:00 am with the Rev. H. C. Straton and the Rev. Zach Hayes officiating. Interment will be in the Alta Vista Cemetery. The body will be taken to the residence.

Mr. Gaines was born in Hart County, but had lived in Gainesville since early childhood. He was a real estate dealer, a wagon dealer, and a blacksmith. He was well-known in real estate circles in this area.

The former mayor was a member of the First Methodist Church for 76 years where he served as a trustee and a steward. He served on the Gainesville Board of education for a number of years. During World War II he helped to organize the war ration board, and after organization, served on the board. He was treasurer of the Hall County Library board and devoted much effort to library work.

He was past president of Gainesville First Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was a son of the late Emily Pendleton Gaines and Jefferson Jones Gaines.

The family has invited Mr. Gaines colored friends to attend the services and a special section of the church will be reserved for them.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lila Smith Gaines, 529 Park Street; one son, Herman Gaines, Atlanta; one granddaughter Miss Jane McMahon Gaines, Atlanta; one brother, D. I. Gaines, Atlanta; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Ward Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.