Mr. Otis David Gaines, Sr.

Obituary For Mr. Otis David Gaines, Sr.

Mr. Otis David Gaines, Sr. of McDonough, Georgia entered into rest on December 8, 2025.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Otis David Gaines, Sr.

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Watkins Funeral Home McDonough Chapel

96 S. Zack Hinton Parkway

McDonough, Georgia 30253

Public viewing will be held on:

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Watkins Funeral Home McDonough Chapel

96 S. Zack Hinton Parkway

McDonough, Georgia 30253

Interment:

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Georgia National Cemetery

1080 Scott Hudgens Drive

Canton, Georgia 30114

A Time to Be Born
Otis D. Gaines, Sr. was born on May 10, 1946, in Hartwell, GA. He was the 7th child
out of 15 born to SB and Catherine (Brown) Gaines.

A Time to Serve
Otis attended Hart County Training School. He relocated to Waukegan and worked at the local hospital, prior to joining the Army in 1964. His first enlistment ended Sept 16,1967, so he joined the Army Reserve from 1967-1970. He returned to
school to obtain his GED in 1968. During that period, he also served as law enforcement from 1968-1974, with the Great Lakes Police department supporting
the DoD sites in North Chicago, IL. In 1974 he wanted to make a change so he re- enlisted in the Army on June 18,1974 and relocated to Oakland, CA.

While in the Army he excelled and was promoted from an E-3 to an E-6 within 3 years. Continuing his Army career path, he relocated to Alabama in 1984 and was promoted to an E-7.

Otis served in Colorado, Alabama, and Germany. In Germany Otis served as Ansbach’s Community Provost Marshal from 1988 - 1991. He was Chief Military Police in charge of a team of 30 soldiers responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining discipline, and ensuring security through policing, investigations,
traffic control, and force protection, acting as the community commander's key advisor for all law and order matters. After his military service concluded in 1991, he served as a Colorado Corrections Officer for 10 years (1996 – 2006) in Colorado. He later retired from the Department of Corrections and relocated to Georgia.

A Time to Be Planted and Bloom
Otis became a father in 1968 when his first daughter (Tonya) was born.
"The Twins” (Denise and Terese) were born the following year in 1969. His first son was born (Otis Jr.) in 1974. In 1986 he became the father of his second son (David). Otis met Cassandra (Sandi) while serving in Germany. From that relationship they shared 3 children, Christopher (1990), Alexander (1994) and Katheryn (2003).

Otis had a unique relationship with all 8 children. He made sure that they all knew that he was proud of and loved them unconditionally. Even though he never
graduated college himself, he was adamant about the power of education which he instilled in his children and encouraged Sandi to obtain her college degrees. His greatest joy was being a father and grandfather. When he became a great grandfather, he was ecstatic.

Otis and Cassandra were united in holy matrimony on February 2, 2002. They were blessed to enjoy 23 years of marriage. He stood on the principles of God’s word which translated into loving his family above all others. Otis enjoyed being around
family, traveling, playing a good spades game, watching WWE with his children.
He was consistent with lecturing his children and grandchildren on the “real” Black History of the United States, even taking them on a tour of his place of birth, Hartwell, GA.

Otis never complained about anything, not even being in so much pain. He always said, “just take care of it” or “just get it done”. He knew that God would have the last say and that he would leave this world in victory, surrounded by loved ones.

A Time to Celebrate and Rest
Otis danced to the beat of his own drum and peacefully made the decision to transition in the comfort of his home. Otis went home to be with the Lord on December 8, 2025.

A Time to Reflect
Otis leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 23 years, Cassandra Gaines, 8 children, Tonya Mc Clendon, Denise Gaines, Terese Gaines, Otis D. (Tameka) Gaines, Jr, David L. (Katoria) Gaines, Christopher D. (Yolanda) Gaines, Alexander
Gaines and Katheryn Gaines, 12 grandchildren, Brett, Stephanie, Kayla, Olivia L., Olivia G., Maddison, Chloe, David Jr., Smith, Noah, Roman and Nova, 7 great grandchildren Braedyn, Aaniyah, Jordyn, Jace, Kylie, Justyce and Kaden, 1 brother, Samuel (Elaine) Gaines, 4 sisters, Pearl Heard, Geneva Hunt, Annette Gaines, and Christine Gaines, Mother-in-law Fannie Johnson, 2 sisters-n-law Camellia Bernard (Brian), and Jannifer (Greg) Christian Pierre-Francois, 1 brother-n-law, Leslie Dillon, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a special friend – Willis “Dave”
Turner.

Otis was preceded in death by his loving parents, S.B. and Catherine (nee Brown) Gaines, 5 Brothers: Billy, Bobby, Twins Jupree & Julius and Kendall Gaines, 4 Sisters: Faye Evans, Florine McKinley, Mary Earl and Vernette Turner.

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