Genelia Dorothy Huffman Gainey (Genny) of Seaside Station went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Born in Buncombe County, NC on February 21, 1937, she was a daughter of the late Ernest L. Huffman and Ruby Rimmer Huffman. She was the wife of the late Heyward Gainey, who preceded her in death on March 11, 2021.
A longtime resident of Kannapolis and China Grove, NC, Genny was a 1955 graduate of A.L. Brown High and was employed for 25 years with Cannon Mills. A woman of strong faith and love of the Lord, Genny was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Shallotte, NC and a former member of North Kannapolis Baptist Church, Kannapolis, NC. She married Heyward Gainey on February 5, 1955 and loved him deeply and unconditionally. They relocated to Sunset Beach in 1989 from Kannapolis, NC. Her unwavering love of the Lord allowed Genny the ability to accomplish her mission of being Heyward’s caretaker for 26 years prior to his passing.
Surviving are her sons, H. Johnny Gainey, Jr. (Terri), Ronnie D. Gainey (Donna); grandchildren, Matthew Gainey, McKenzie (CJ) Nance, Christy Dowless, Nicholas Dowless, Jonathon Gainey, Nick Gainey; great-grandchildren, Gavin Gainey and Olivia Nance. She is also survived by brothers, Ernest B. “Buddy” Huffman, Ken Huffman; and sister, Grace H. Fletcher. Genny was preceded in death by her brother, Luther Huffman and sister, Margaret H. Newsome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Cat Tails, 6622 Beach Dr SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church, Shallotte, with a brief visitation to follow at the church. Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022 in Carolina Memorial Park, Concord, NC.
Please share memories and condolences at www.leefhandcrematory.com