Hilda Weeks Gainey

Hilda Ray Weeks Gainey, one with the kindest of hearts and a commitment to trust and unity in her family, transitioned from this world into the next on Saturday night, April 9, 2022, following several years of declining health.

 Hilda had deep convictions of right and wrong, and displayed great restraint in issues of controversy. She was quick-witted with an impish wink, and was adept at expressing her thoughts with the written word so the reader would become captivated by the stories she told.

 Hilda was born at home to Shed and Mildred Gober Weeks in Starkville, MS on December 15, 1946. She was the second of four children. Hilda attended Madison-Ridgeland School and graduated as the salutatorian of the Class of 1965. She graduated in 1969 with a degree in Library Science from Mississippi State College for Women (now Mississippi University for Women), where she was President in her senior year of the Beta Chapter of Alpha Beta Alpha, the National Library Science Fraternity.

 Hilda put her degree to work, first with the Mississippi Library Commission and the Canton, MS Public Library. Hilda found her greatest job satisfaction serving students, first at Ridgeland Elementary School (MS), then Madison-Ridgeland High School. She was the first librarian at Madison Central High School, where she served the needs of students, including implementing the use of technology for research, projects, presentations, etc., until her retirement in 2009.

 Hilda was an avid sports fan and a strong supporter of the teams at the schools where she worked, NASCAR, and Mississippi State University. She was a cook extraordinaire of whatever fish or game brought home by her husband, Norman - especially deer. She was also known by many as the greatest baker of the most wonderful chocolate cake that ever was and ever shall be.

 Hilda was a member of First Baptist Church Madison, MS where she had grown up and professed her faith as a young child. She was a devoted caregiver to her mother in her last years, and to her brother-in-law, Ronald Gainey, until his death in 2020.

 Hilda was pre-deceased by her parents, Shed and Mildred Gober Weeks; her older brother, Rodney Odom Weeks; her son, Samuel Shed Gainey; her brothers-in-law, Stanley Gainey and Ronald Gainey; and her father-and-mother-in law, Stanford and Mildred Hicks Gainey.

 Hilda is survived by her husband of nearly 48 years, Norman Gainey; her son, Jason Gainey (Karen); her daughters, Angela Gainey and Michelle Gainey; her sister, Nancy Ellen Weeks Park (Kelly); her brother, Randall (Randy) Shed Weeks; five grandchildren: Samuel Nash Gainey, Grace Gainey, Carly Thompson, Ashlyn Thompson, and Kyle Tucker; and many nieces and nephews.

 Hilda carried her grief over the loss of her 8-year-old son, Sammy, privately and with grace. Even in her loss she made certain to love her children and grandchildren with abandon. The epitaph on Sammy’s, tombstone, taken from 2 Samuel 12:23, reads, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” Hilda has completed her work in this world and has gone to him.  Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and on Thursday from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am chapel service.  Burial will be in the Lone Pine Cemetery, next to her son, Sammy.

In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A video live stream of the funeral service will be available at https://www.facebook.com/Breelandfuneralhome.

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