Elaine Gay

Elaine Chastain Gay

Wrens, GA –               Elaine Chastain Gay, 67, loving wife of 46 years to Eugene “Gene” Gay, entered into her eternal rest Tuesday evening, December 22, 2020 at Doctors Hospital in Augusta. Services to celebrate her life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday afternoon, January 3, 2021, in the James Funeral Home Chapel with her sons, Joshua and Matthew, officiating.

Because of the family’s respect and concern for public health and safety during this COVID-19 pandemic, the family requests that social distancing and other safety precautions be followed.  The wearing of face masks is strongly encouraged.

Born to the late Annie Jane Paradise Chastain and the late James William Chastain, Elaine grew up in Lincoln County and was a graduate of Lincoln County High School.  After attending dental hygienist school, she worked for Historic Augusta. While at work in downtown Augusta, she met the love of her life in 1972, marrying in May of 1974 and moving to Atlanta for his job. After being in Atlanta for 3 ½ years, they were transferred to Thomson, then Louisville, then to Wrens, back to Atlanta and then finally making Wrens their permanent home in 1988. Elaine worked for Rite Aid and City Rexall Drug for a combined 15 years before joining the staff at First State Bank where she served as a Customer Service Representative for seventeen years.  Life after retirement was spent “chasing after grandkids between Evans and Valdosta”.  Elaine accepted our free gift of salvation, Jesus, and loving and worshipping her Lord and Savior as a member of Wrens Baptist Church.  She loved spending time at home, making a comfortable, loving environment for her family. Elaine lived a simple life in which she found peace and contentment. She experienced great joy in just sitting on the back-porch swing, watching the birds as they fed in the many bird feeders in their back yard. She especially loved watching cardinals.  She loved, loved, loved Christmas! Elaine lived all year anxiously awaiting Christmas, her favorite time of the year—a time to recognize the birth of her Savior; a time to share love and the reason for the season with her family and fellow man; a time for thanksgiving; a time to enjoy the many blessings of her life, especially her family; a time to watch the joy and wonder of pure love and innocence on the faces of her beloved grandchildren; a time to give, give, give. It has been said that Elaine thought the “sun rose and set in her boys and grandchildren”—her family was the core of her existence and her love was absolute and unconditional.  Her big, bright smile lit up a room but it was her kind, loving, gentle spirit that captured the heart.  She will forever be remembered for her soft-spoken words of encouragement; her positivity for everyone and every situation; her being the same Elaine 24/7 no matter what was going on around her; her big, generous heart; her all-encompassing hugs; and the pure, unadulterated love that she exuded. Nothing can replace the void left by her passing but Elaine’s memory—her love—will forever be in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Elaine was also preceded in death by her brother, William “Yogi” Chastain. Other survivors include her two sons, Joshua Gay (Elizabeth) and Matthew Gay (Meredith); five grandchildren, Nora-Kate Gay, Gracen Gay, Nila Gay, Riley Gay and Marlee Gay; two siblings, Charles Chastain (Cindy) and Colleen Chastain; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.