Winfred Clark (Fred) Gaither, 91, died October 22, 2014, at 8:05 AM at Woodbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was a native of Cannon County and graduated from Auburn High School in 1941. He retired from Veterans Administration Hospital in Murfreesboro as Chief, Ward Administration, on January 8, 1982. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Navy with honorable discharge in December 1944.
Mr. Gaither is survived by his wife of 71 years, Sara Hamilton Gaither of Auburntown, TN; daughter, Winifred Donna (Eddie) Nichols of Auburntown, TN; son, Dr. Douglas H. Gaither, Davenport of Iowa; and six grandchildren , Sara Drue (Chris) Zimmer of Syracuse, NY; Milton Clark (Elizabeth) Gaither of Mechanicsburg, PA; Chimena Paige (Bill) Kabasenche of Pullman, WA; Vanessa Kate (Matt) Hardy of Nashville, TN; Cameron Jess (Heather) Gaither of Racine, WI and Gretchen Elaine (Judson) Abernathy of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren, Andrew (Drew) and Canyon Zimmer; Rachel, Aidan, Susanna and Macrina Gaither; Elyria and Eliason Kabasenche; Lauren, Elena, and Bella Gaither; and Trane and Theo Abernathy. Additionally, he is survived by a brother, Jerry Forrest Gaither of Murfreesboro, TN, and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Gaither was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Edward and Jodie Hawkins Gaither; three sisters, Elizabeth Lucille Hancock, Jessie Pauline Street, and Sara Nell Dickey; five brothers, Robert (Red) Hawkins, Noel Edwin, I.B., Otis Garland, and David Nugent Gaither and a grandson, Andrew (Andy) Edward Nichols.
Mr. Gaither was a devout Christian and member of Auburn Baptist Church where he served many years as deacon, Sunday school teacher and song leader. Additionally, he was a founding member of Lakewood Baptist Church, Beech Grove, TN. He was recorder for the Auburntown City Counsel and member of the Auburntown Historical Society for several years.
Mr. Gaither was an electrician and an avid repairman who could refurbish, repair and re-design almost anything including antique lamps. He enjoyed gardening, eating good food, mowing the lawn and traveling with wife Sara. He appreciated computers and eBay shopping. Mr. Gaither began each weekday by reading scripture, praying and completing a physical exercise routine.
Complete funeral arrangements are in the obituary section of wbry.com
