Wayne Brooks Gainey

Sumter, SC….Wayne Brooks Gainey, age 82, beloved husband of 52 years to Claudia Benenhaley Gainey, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, at his home.

Wayne was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, a son of the late Jackson B. Gainey and Gertrude Mincey Gainey.

Wayne was a devout Christian, husband, and father. Born on a farm in Lumberton, North Carolina, Wayne knew the importance of hard work, and after transitioning to Chicago as a young teen, he learned the value of a good education, which is something he instilled in us all. Wayne served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, but more importantly, he served his family. As a committed employee of International Paper for more than twenty years, he was able to not only be a great husband but also a generous provider to his many children. He worked tirelessly to ensure his family had everything that they needed, and most of all, what they wanted.

In the rare moments when he wasn’t working, he had a love for history and enjoyed arrowhead hunting, resulting in a collection that he was very proud of, but as much as he enjoyed these things, his greatest love was his wife, Claudia. No matter where he was, as long as he was with her, he was exactly where he wanted to be.

This great man has left behind a legacy that includes an ever-growing family, land he was proud of, and will forever rest on.

In addition to his wife, left behind to cherish his memory are his sons; Dion Fain and his wife Bonnie of New Bern, NC and Cody Gainey of Sumter, his daughters; Michelle Graham and her husband Jason of Sumter, Amanda Gainey of Sumter, Danielle Held and her husband Jason of Sumter, Dionne Gainey and her husband Archie of Houston, Texas, Brittany Gainey of Sumter, and Brooke Reeley and her husband Timothy of Sumter, a sister; Susan Languis of Sumter, 26 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his children, Christopher Gainey and Candace Bundy, two grandchildren, Gabe Gainey Held and Tracy Brooks Held, and a brother, Larry Gainey.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wayne Brooks Gainey, please visit our floral store.