Shirley Cardwell Gaines

Shirley C. Gaines entered this life on July 17, 1944, in Richmond, Virginia, and departed for her heavenly home on May 4, 2025, in Apopka, Florida.

 She was the daughter of the late Alma B. Cardwell and the late Junious E. Cardwell of Richmond. Surrounded by family love, she was the third granddaughter out of 34 grandchildren of the late Charles Lee Belle Sr. and late Lucille Goodman Belle. 

Shirley was a proud graduate of Maggie L Walker High School in Richmond, Class of 1962. She matriculated to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she studied foreign languages and math. While there, she also was initiated into the Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1963.

She next moved to Washington, D.C., to work in several finance roles. She was employed in the federal government for 23 years with the General Services Administration, from which she retired. She later returned to the workforce and was employed another eight years for the Association of Science and Technology Centers, also in Washington.

 Shirley was raised at Third Street Bethel AME Church in Richmond and grew in the spirit at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Washington. There, she married Albert T. Gaines in 1969, and from their union was born two daughters, Althea and Alayna.

 In 2014, she moved from Richmond to Winter Park, Florida, to be closer to her daughter and grandson. She would later live with them in Ocoee, Florida, until shortly before her death. 

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Althea, and parents. Shirley leaves a legacy of love and laughter in her daughter, Alayna G. Riggins of Ocoee, Florida; grandson, Solomon D. Riggins, of Ocoee; brother, Keith Cardwell, of Richmond; niece, Kayla Minor, of Richmond; a host of Belle cousins and missed friends in Washington.

 A viewing will take place at 10 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Third Street Bethel AME Church, 614 North Third Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219. The Interment will be held immediately at Riverview Cemetery, 1401 South Randolph Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23220. The family will welcome loved ones and friends at a repast back at the church afterwards.

Online condolences are available at www.jenkinsjr.com