Columbus Gaynor

Columbus Gaynor the son of the late Sam and Flossie (Close) Gaynor, was born in Bethel, NC on March 9, 1926.  He was the youngest of eight children, born to this union.  He was Flossie’s baby.  He peacefully transitioned from this earthly life to everlasting life on Monday, May 27, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

“Uncle Buddy,” as he was affectionately called, received his formal education in the public schools of Pitt County in Bethel, NC.  His parents were God-fearing disciplinarians who taught him good work ethics.  At an early age, he relocated to Stanford, CT, later moving to Berlin, MD, where he planted his roots.

Columbus was drafted into the U.S, Army, receiving an honorable discharge while serving in the Korean War.  He was a member of the American Legion, Duncan Showell Post #231 in Berlin, MD.  He was formerly employed in the poultry industry, namely: the former Showell Poultry, for many years.  He retired from Maurice Cannon as a construction worker.

Columbus was soft-spoken in a mild manner.  He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener.  You could always see him working in his garden and grooming his yard.  He would sit on the pier with his buddies from Baltimore, day and night, catching nothing.  Getting lost in the woods, following a rabbit hound was nothing odd for him.  He was a lover of dogs, and named all of his dogs, “Sam,” after his father.

Physiology: “people are like fish, they get in trouble when they open their mouth. Be patient and calm, because one cannot catch fish in anger.”

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Gladys Gaynor; three sons: Ronnie (Tanya) Briddell of Harrisburg, PA, Jerlene (Larry) Hobbs of Dagsboro, DE, Goldbury Purnell of California, Columbus (Danita) and Kenneth Gaynor, all of Berlin, MD; one sister: Annie Gaynor of Berlin, MD; eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law, Rapid Response Care Givers: Shawn Purnell and Evelyn Whaley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives, extend family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son: Randolph Gaynor, one grandson: Randy L. Gaynor; one sister: Roberta Sharpe, five brothers: Neil, Herman, Eugene, Johnny, and Offie Gaynor.

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