GAINES CATO JR.

Gaines Cato Jr., 71, was born on July 14, 1949, in Sumter County, a son of Gaines Cato Sr. and Elizabeth Dewitt Cato. Having been shaped and educated by humble rural, country life, he recruited himself several careers ranging from sharecropping fieldwork in the deep south to exciting upbeat tenures in the state of New York.

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, Mr. Gaines took comfort in earthly rest and transitioned into eternal righteousness, reuniting in spirit with his doting parents and his equally beloved eldest brother, James "Cowboy" Cato Sr.

Surviving in the legacy of his life is his sister, Lucille Cato-Prioleau and brother-in-law, David L. Rembert; his brother, Ben L. Cato Sr.; his nephew, whom he called his brother and pastor, Bishop Jerry J. Prioleau; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 224 Raven Brook Road, Eastover.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with Bishop Jerry J. Prioleau officiating, eulogist.

Funeral procession will leave at 1 p.m. from the home.

Burial will be at Mayesville Cemetery.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.