Eliah Gains

Actually Senior Master Sergeant Eliah Gains of the United States Air Force was born in the traditional “Navy” town of Norfolk, Virginia, in the year 1942 to Rose Beatrice and Eli Gaines but left Virginia at the age of seven (7) years to reside in New York City NY.  It was there that he attended and graduated from the Public School system of New York City and immediately fulfilled his dream of entering the United States Air Force in 1959, where he served with distinction for 29 years. 

In 1960 he married Elizabeth Bouldes of New York City and from this union were two (2) daughters, the late Wanda Gains of Prairie, Texas and Monica Watson formerly of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who relocated to Dover, Delaware primarily to assist with the care of her Stepmother (the late Willa Gains) and her father.

In 1985 Eliah was married to Willa prior to his retirement from the military as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1987.  During his 29 years in the service he has served as a Flight Engineer, primarily on C-130s, and was the recipient of many awards and commendations including the Jonestown Massacre. He also had the distinction of serving on one of the very last flights leaving Vietnam at the end of the war.

Service to the State of Delaware was with the Department of Corrections where he served for seventeen (17) years before retirement to devote more time to his family, traveling, leisure activities, and his newest grandson (Justin Phillips).  Then came the loss of his beloved Willa in 2013 followed by a debilitating illness.  His daughter Monica who had come to assist in the care of Willa then relocated to Dover permanently to provide “loving” care to her Father and remained by his side until his final days.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister Freda, and wife Willa.

Survivors include daughter Monica Watson of Dover; sister Dianna Gaines of Norfolk, Virginia, and niece Yolanda Gaines, also of Norfolk.  Other grandchildren are Sequena and La Paul Alexander of Grand Prairie Texas, and Justin Phillips of Dover, Delaware; stepsons Marcus Bembry of Wilmington and David Moultrie of Dover.

Eliah’s life was devoted to serve to his family, the United States Air Force, and the State of Delaware, and for this he will be remembered for “he was taken without lamentation, suffering, or pain, indeed his end was wonderful, if mortals ever was. There is no end.”  Excerpt from The Gospel at Colonus as interpreted by the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Morgan Freeman.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Delaware 19934.  Friends may view one hour prior.  Committal Services with full military honors will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Delaware.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

 Service Information