Phillip A Gaines

It is with deepest regrets that we announce the passing of Phillip "Phil" Gaines, who left us on January 23, 2024. Born on July 29, 1987, Phillip was a cherished member of the Gaines family and will be profoundly missed.

Phillip, who sometimes went by the name Phil, was a warm and engaging individual. His presence brought an immense amount of joy to those who had the privilege of knowing him, and his memory continues to provide the same.

Phillip is survived by his beloved mother, Rosie Gaines, who nurtured and guided him all his life with unwavering love. His father, Cornelius Gaines II, provided him with an endearing strength that defined much of who Phillip was as an individual. His absence will leave a void in their lives that will never be filled.

Phillip leaves behind his brothers, a major source of support and camaraderie throughout his life. His eldest brother, Cornelius “Trey” Gaines III, who shares a special bond with Phillip, fondly remembers the numerous cherished memories they created together. His second elder brother, William “Billy” Gaines, stood by him as an enduring pillar of strength. His third eldest brother, Justin Gaines, whom Phil looked up to as a role model, will continue to honor his legacy.

We remember Phillip for his love, his passion, and his unwavering commitment to his family. His loss is deeply felt, and his memory will forever live within the hearts of those who loved him. As we mourn his death, we also celebrate the extraordinary life he led, filled with kindness, love, and an unforgettable spirit.

Mom writes,

Phil, you are not just a son to me you're my life, my soul, my heart, and most of all the reason for my existence. Now that you've gone up to heaven to be with our lord I am at peace. We're thankful we had you in our lives, you brought so much love, joy, and challenges. I'll miss your love, silliness, laughter, and your beautiful smile. I loved you at birth and in death. You'll always be my baby. Love Mom!

Dad writes,

Phillip had his grandmother's sense of charity. He gladly lent a hand to friends and neighbors, he put their needs before his own. From the youngest age, Phillip made friends, hung out with those friends, and helped them with all sorts of adventures. When he came home, we would ask him what's up, what have you been doing? He'd often give that same one-line answer "Helping a friend" Phillip had a strong sense of self-identity, but he struggled to manage his faculties. He was unique because he was the third generation born in the same week as his father and grandmother. His grandmother (Rita Gaines 7/25) his dad ( Cornelius Gaines 7/27) then Phillip 7/29. Because of this, Phillip and I shared a special father-and-son relationship. He also shared a special relationship with his big brother Trey. Rosie and I always said to each other that we had two sets of twins. As we raised our family, we observed some peculiar stuff. That is how our sons grew into the adults they became. Trey and Phillip seem to have emerged as one set of twins and Bill and Justin were the other set of twins. Trey mentored Phillip and influenced him to become an A/C technician. As Phillip became 18 years old, the two brothers were off on their own working as A/C techs. Everything was great, Phillip appeared to be on his way toward a successful career and happy life. Then with a sudden twist of fate, the two brothers would find themselves on the wrong side of the law. As Trey's misfortune separated the brothers, Phillip lost the benefit of his brother's council and appeared to wander aimlessly. Dad would step in to comfort and guide Phillip, but he chartered a path on his own. The long separation from his older brother caused Phillip to revert to his old ways. Hanging with friends and helping them with whatever, that's what Phillip did. He was an outstanding friend. Our neighbors called Phillip their son because their children highly valued his friendship. In time, friends seemed to disappear one by one which led Phillip back to his big brother, the reunion happened, but it didn't last. By this time Phillip's struggles with his faculties grew worse and overwhelmed the family. A tug-of-war happened between the family and Phillip's condition. He battled the demons in his mind until that dreadful day we were notified that he passed at Sunrise Hospital on January 23rd. Upon learning of his brother's passing, Trey said that his brother won the battle. So, we celebrate the life of Phillip Alexander Gaines and remember him for his charity, his humor, always making people laugh, his philosophy, always explaining things metaphysically. We will always love you so...........be with God and rest in peace!

Billy writes,

It is extremely difficult to say goodbye to my brother who brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. There were many demons he fought with, but today I want to remind myself and everyone else to remember the good and the good he made me feel. When he was younger, Phillip had an extraordinary gift for humor. His wit and charm could light up any room, and his ability to make others smile was truly unparalleled. Whether it was a clever joke or a silly prank, he had a way of lifting our spirits and bringing laughter to even the most difficult moments. His laughter was infectious, and his playful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him. I find myself deeply regretting not having a closer relationship with Phillip. I wish I had taken more opportunities to connect with him, to share in his laughter, and to build the bond that I now realize was so precious. His passing has taught me the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones, and I will carry this lesson with me for the rest of my days. Phillip, you were taken from us far too soon, and the pain of your absence is immeasurable. I miss you more than words can express, and I will forever treasure the memories we shared. You brought light and warmth into our lives, and your legacy of laughter will live on in our hearts. Though we mourn the loss of Phillip, let us also celebrate the incredible person he was and the happiness he brought into the world. May his spirit of joy and laughter continue to inspire us, and may we honor his memory by spreading kindness and humor wherever we go. Rest in peace, my bro. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts. I love you big, little bro.

Trey writes,

My wilderness journey has led me in and out of my family's life. As a result, I've had the unique privilege of meeting Phillip four times. The first time I met Phil was in late 86. Our family, recently made a cross-country move from Vegas to Virginia. My mom and my sister Sandra told Bill and I that the "rabbit died". Right away I was confused, the only person I knew with a rabbit was my Uncle Jimmy way back in Vegas. I thought that was supposed to be a sad thing, but my Mom looked so happy. Sandra was laughing because she saw my confusion and told me that means your mom’s having a baby. From the day Phil was born, we shared a special bond, as we were both born on the 29th day. Over the next 10 years, I watched Phil grow from pig, to gillup, to Nasty Face. My relationship with all my brothers at that time was simple. Do what I say, and we good". Bill, Justin and Phillip were the little brothers. In that season of life we had no cares, Dad and Mom made sure 

of that. We did what brothers do, and we loved each other. I left my family for the first time in March of 97, I was 17 and Phil was 10. I met Phil again in Feb 2004. I was 24 and Phil was 16. Within a week of meeting this Phillip, I realized that he and I were a lot alike. At that time Phil was a junior in high school and was attending a school on Russel and the 95. It was about a 30-minute drive from our house. I took Phil to school every morning on my way to work. It was in these moments that we began to form a new bond. I got to Know Phil, he was hilarious. Always had jokes. Phil is also extremely creative. He understood the power of words and could arrange them to birth Songs, poems, stories, and movies. Phillip understood vibration, frequency, and harmony, and was able to arrange music. I was in awe by the spiritual gifts the Lord gave him. Over the next several months, I noticed that Phil wasn't going to finish school and he and Dad weren't seeing eye to eye. It was like Deja Vu for me. I knew that I did not want Phil to make the same choices I made at his age. The Lord gave me an opportunity to honor my father and mother, by assisting them and becoming a bridge for Phil into a doll hood. As I was going to school to become an HVAC technician, I would come home every day and show Phil what I was learning. We continued this routine until I graduated and entered the field of HVAC. The Lord blessed us, and we were able to enroll Phil in a technical school as well. On the day, Phillip turned 18 years old, we got him a job with me and we signed the lease on our first apartment. I had the privilege of taking Phil to open his first account. I showed him how to write checks, and categorize his bills, and stressed to him, the importance of credit and on-time bill payments. For the next 18 months, Phillip and I were inseparable. We lived together, we worked together, and we did everything together. Something else really amazing happened to us during this time. Phillip and I both receive the Holy Spirit. As we were babes in Christ, we do not understand what is the breadth, length, height, and depth of the Lord and his love for us. So, even though we were spirit-filled we continued in the world as we were. We were the seeds who fell among the thorns. We heard the word, but the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of the richest choked the word, and it proved unfruitful. As a result, our journeys took us away from each other. I was 27 and Phillip was 19. During that three-year span, Phil transitioned from my baby brother to my little brother, to my best friend. The third time I met Phil was in March 2018 at my Ely max. It was the first time we’d seen each other in over 11 years. I was now 38 and Phil was 30. I remember introducing Phil to a friend of mine as my little brother, Phil. Phil extended his hand and said with emphasis, I’m Big, Phil, Trey‘s youngest brother. The way he said it made me look at him and at that moment I saw a man. Phil was about 6‘3“ tall and a swell 230 pounds. I thought to myself, he’s right, he is my youngest brother now, and he will never again be my little brother. The days of “do what I say” are over. Then I thought, man, bro, can probably kick my ass now. There comes a time in every big brother’s life when you learn, in the words of Day-Day, “We ain’t little no more Craig.” That was the last time I ever referred to Phil as my little brother. From that moment on he was big Phil. For the next two years, Phil and I shared a 6‘ x 9‘ cell 24/7 365 days a year. Outside of marriage, we were as close as two people could be. It was during this time I watched Big Phil go deep into the spiritual world. Big Phil was untrained, according to worldly standards, theology, and American educational curriculum. But he possessed a knowledge and understanding of God, and mathematics, as if he had been formally trained in these areas, his whole life. Big Phil fasted often, he once went a whole week without eating or drinking! That’s the level of self-control and discipline he possessed. Big Phil often said that the vein and sensuous pleasures of life are manipulated by Satan to capture the attention of man. So, they have no time for God. He plants seeds of desires, fosters them, so they grow, then attacks you through them. He explained to me that we don’t need any of the trappings of the world, that none of that stuff matters. Life is so much more than the dream they sell you. I realize now that this wise man was the fourth Phillip I met. The dynamic between us changed again. Big Phil was now my teacher! Before we separated for our final time, he said that he was going to try his best to just work and be normal. I prayed for that. But that ideal was too small for big Phil. Big Phil was truly anointed by God, he was at war with Legion (Mark 5:1-20). And the natural that war played out as schizophrenia. Big Phil was given this assignment because he was built for war. Big Phil is the fourth-born son, of Judah, and was born in the season of Leo. Big Phil is a lion's, lion; fearless! Big Phil once told me that nothing can happen to him unless he allows it. Big Phil knew who God was and he knew who he was in Christ. Big Phil allowed himself to be humbled to the point of living on the streets! James 4:5-10, scripture says “He yearns jealousy over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us, but he gives us more grace. Therefore, it is God who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself, therefore, to God resist the devil, and he will flee from you, draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleans your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts. You double-minded. Be rested and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to morning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you”. Again, he says clothe yourselves in humility toward one another. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exult you. My family, my family. I know many of you have come here today with sorrow and heavy hearts. I pray that you leave with comfort and peace. You see Big Phil understood the assignment. He allowed himself to become wretched. He willingly turned his joy to gloom. Big Phil was the fourth-born son. He was the little brother’s, little brother. Phil was never first. For 36 years and 178 days, he was humble and God took him up. Big Phil ran the race that was assigned to him. Well done you good and faithful servant! I love you, bro, I’ll see you when I’m done.