John Alexander Gaines

Mr. John Alexander Gaines was born in York County, SC on May 23, 1941 and departed his life on June 5, 2024. He was the son of the late Ernestine Moore (mother). In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his son, John Gaines Jr. His Everlasting memories will be cherished by his daughter; Janee Gaines & grandson Noah Gaines both of Atlanta, GA. His sister Mary Gaines Meeks of Rock Hill, SC; his niece Alicia Meeks and his nephew Reginald Meeks (Jackie) both of Rock Hill, SC; his great nieces Twanna Meeks Suber (Kent) Talicia Roseboro (Jyquille) both of Rock Hill, SC; great nephews LaQuavius Judge of Rock Hill, SC, Jasheem Baxter (Keano) of Forest City, NC, and Reginald Davis of Rock Hill, SC; great nephew Kylar Baxter of Forest City, NC, and Jailen Griffin of Rock Hill, SC.

Gaines grew up on Hagins St. in Rock Hill after graduating from Emmett J. Scott High School. In 1960 Gaines enrolled at Friendship. He was elected president of the student branch of the NAACP while taking an active roll in ongoing protests in downtown Rock Hill. He was an organizer on nonviolence training for protesters and helped craft the decision to stay in jail rather than post bond. He continued protests after the grounds released from jail.

Mr. John Alexander Gaines was born in York County, SC on May 23, 1941, and passed away on June 5, 2024. He was the son of the late Ernestine Moore. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his son, John Gaines Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Janee Gaines, and grandson Noah Gaines, both of Atlanta, GA. Also mourning his loss are his sister, Mary Gaines Meeks of Rock Hill, SC; his niece, Alicia Meeks; and his nephew, Reginald Meeks (Jackie), all from Rock Hill, SC. He is also survived by great nieces Twanna Meeks Suber (Kent) and Talicia Roseboro (Jyquille) of Rock Hill, SC, and great nephews LaQuavius Judge, Jasheem Baxter (Keano) of Forest City, NC, and Reginald Davis of Rock Hill, SC. Additionally, he leaves behind great nephew Kylar Baxter of Forest City, NC, and Jailen Griffin of Rock Hill, SC.

Gaines grew up on Hagins St. in Rock Hill after graduating from Emmett J. Scott High School. In 1960, Gaines enrolled at Friendship College. He was elected president of the student branch of the NAACP and played an active role in ongoing protests in downtown Rock Hill. He organized nonviolence training for protesters and advocated staying in jail rather than posting bond. He continued his activism after being released from jail.

After graduating from Friendship College, Gaines attended Benedict College in Columbia, SC, where he participated in NAACP Civil Rights protests and clerked for Judge Matthew Perry. After law school at Howard University, Gaines worked in Rock Hill for the Model Cities program and later joined the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in Florence, SC. There, he worked on Civil Rights cases that reached the U.S. Supreme Court and significantly impacted Civil Rights. Gaines practiced law, specializing in Civil Rights and general practice, until his retirement.

The actions he and others took made a lasting impact on Rock Hill and the country, inspiring him to become a lawyer dedicated to improving his community and the nation.

The actions that he and the others took did make a difference in Rock Hill and the country, even if it took some years. It encouraged him to become a lawyer so that he could help others of all races and make his country a better place, he changed history for us all.