Grady Braxton Gaither

Grady Braxton GaitherGrady Braxton Gaither was born January 7, 1937 to the late Leonard Braxton Gaither and Pearl McGrady Gaither at Hillwood, AL where his father was a log cutter at the sawmill there and his mother a housewife.  Grady was born into two loving families on both sides the Gaither's and the McGrady's.  Grady attended Weogufka High School from 1943 - 1955 where he received his high school diploma.  Grady served in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 until 1961.  He worked with the State of Alabama Division of Forestry for several years in the Weogufka area.  He was Supervisor for the State of Florida Division of Forestry in Okeechobee, FL from 1969 - 1975.  He ran his own music store for several years in the Childersburg, AL area.  Grady worked at Coosa Valley Baptist Medical Center in Sylacauga, AL in General Maintenance from 1985 - 1993.  Grady was with the Coosa County Board of Education in Rockford, AL as a school bus driver for about 10 years.  He was presently employed by the Coosa County Road Department.  Grady is preceded in death by his son, Jackie Ryan Gaither, father, Braxton and mother, Pearl Gaither.  He is survived by this wife, Patricia (Pat) Green Gaither of 31 years, daughters Bonnie Maria Christensen of Kankakee, IL, Angie Pruitt of Birmingham, AL, sons Grady Braxton Gaither, Jr., wife Tena of Stanford, KY, Yancey Gaither, wife Teresa of Surprise, AZ, Grady Lawrence Gaither of Texas and Frankie Gaither of Atmore, AL, sister Gloria Jones of Weogufka, AL, 14 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, three of them were like his own children, Trina Jones Zeigler of Sylacauga, AL, Danny and Charles Jones of Weogufka, AL.  He is survived by 4 uncles that were like brothers to him.  Denson, wife Dot and Elton, wife Ann McGrady of the Stewartville, AL area and Martin Gaither, wife Mickey of Olivehair, CA and preceded in death by Elvin Wayne, wife Frances McGrady.Grady was active at Unity Presbyterian Church at Weogufka, AL where he was the Music Director, Grady loved his music.Pallbearers will be Randy Helm, Richard Helm, Jim Ezekiel, Glenn Bullard, Charles Jones and Frank Gardner.  Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Abrams and Bobby Ezekiel.Visitation will be Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Radney-Smith Chapel.Services will be Friday, September 17, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at Unity Presbyterian Church with Rev. Charles Sims officiating.  Burial will follow in Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery.Family will accept flowers or donations may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church at Rt. 1 Box 29B1, Weogufka, AL 35183.Memorial messages maybe sent to the family at www.radneysmith.com.Radney-Smith Funeral Home will direct the service.