Mary Carolyn Gainer, born Mary Carolyn Cain, better known as “Carolyn” or “Mary C.”, was the oldest of 3 daughters born to Annie Mary and John Cain in Jacksonville, Florida on December 24, 1932. As a red headed, freckled faced beauty, she spent her younger years in rural Georgia.
Carolyn graduated from Brazosport High School in May 1950. In January 1951, she went on a blind date with handsome Air Force Airman First Class Benjamin Gainer. She and Ben married on March 22, 1951. Soon thereafter they had 3 sons in 4 years!
Carolyn was an amazing caretaker. She was a devoted homemaker extra ordinaire! She was a room mother, a Cub Scout den mother, and she taught Sunday School at the little Methodist Church in Blessing. She enjoyed dominoes, playing bridge and other card games with friends.
As the boys got older, she and Ben enjoyed deer hunting trips, playing cards and traveling with friends. They attended First United Methodist Church in Victoria. Carolyn was an excellent cook! Some Sundays, she’d cook large meals to feed a houseful of people! On “Lucky Sundays”, her family would eat Long John Silver’s....which was her favorite meal for the rest of her life! It was during this time she became a longtime member of Victoria Regional Hospital’s Women’s Volunteer Auxiliary, racking up thousands of volunteer hours.
In 1978, the first of 7 grandchildren came along. All of her children and grandchildren will tell you that a favorite memory of theirs is when she’d make grilled cheese sandwiches on a cast iron skillet, which she did often and with love!
After Ben Sr. passed away in November 1996, she traveled with friends, visited with her neighbors, continued volunteering, and loved on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She had such a will to live and found joy in simple things every day. She had a great sense of humor, and she could give as good as she got! When asked to explain her perpetual good mood, she said, “Well, it’s just easier to be happy about things than to be mad or sad.” Even in her last days, she had a smile on her face and shared that little laugh...that giggle she was famous for.
Mary Carolyn Gainer was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin M. Gainer, Sr.; a son, David K. Gainer, Sr.; a great-granddaughter, Ashley Gainer; and a sister, Eleanor Joyce Payne.
She is survived by son Benjamin M. Gainer, Jr. (Bonnie) of El Campo; son Michael T. Gainer, Sr. (Gayle) of Victoria and sister, Joanne Gladney of Angleton.
Carolyn was “Grandma” to seven grandchildren and “Mimi” to many great-grandchildren.
Pall Bearers are Michael T. Gainer, Sr., Michael T. Gainer, Jr., Michael T. Gainer, III, William Welch, Daniel Saenz, Benjamin M. Gainer, Jr.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Crown Hospice of Victoria.
