Alfred J. Gaither

Alfred Jesse Gaither, son of the late Reginald and Thelma (Wallace) Gaither, was born on November 20,1938 in Severn, Anne Arundel County, MD. He departed this life on May 26, 2026, at Autumn Lake Healthcare, Gambrills, MD.  Alfred grew up with his fourteen siblings on the family farm. He attended school with them, played with them, and loved them.  They were his world. He began school at Severn Elementary. After six years, he attended Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis, graduating with the Class of 1956. Alfred was a proud, active member and supporter of the Bates Class of ’56.

Alfred went into the army when he was called. Serving for two years in the infantry, he was stationed in East Berlin and Bamberg Germany. After his honorable discharge in October 1963, he returned home and to his previous job at the Sanitary Commission of Anne Arundel County.

Alfred began tending a garden. He loved to see things orderly. He loved to see things grow. Each spring he was turning the soil and getting ready. He found great peace in the solitude of the field. Over the years, his garden yielded much delicious produce for family, neighbors, and friends. He was truly a master gardener and an esteemed member of the Anne Arundel County Farmers Co-op Association.  Alfred always kept his own pace and lived his life as he thought it should be.

Although he never held membership in a church, Alfred knew he was a child of God. He was always eager to hear the Bible read and to carefully ponder its teachings. He liked people and treated them with respect. Helping others came easily to him. He lived a truly Christian life.

In June 1998, Alfred married his long-time best friend, Frances L. Holloman of Baltimore. Alfred planned their lovely garden wedding. Now he had a family of his own: wife, children, and grandchildren.

Alfred was a faithful employee of Anne Arundel County Water Department. He seldom missed a day and was always on time.  He took courses at various community colleges for job development. He could be counted on to do whatever was asked of him, to go the extra mile. He retired as a Technical Specialist in 2002 with 37 years of service.

Alfred enjoyed life after retirement. He had time to continue the things that he had always done, to spend time with his family at the homeplace, and to spend time in contemplation. He and Frances took pleasure in travel, boat rides, dining out, live theatre, and do-it-yourself projects. He could fix cars and almost anything else.  He was enthusiastic about certain causes. Over all the years after his military service, he was a faithful supporter of wounded and disabled veterans up to the time of his passing. He supported the National Museum of African American History and Culture and The Barack Obama Foundation, hoping to attend the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in 2026. He and Frances were supporters of many other worthy causes throughout their marriage.  

On July 11, 2025, Alfred lost his dear wife Frances. Her passing was truly impactful on his life.

Alfred leaves to mourn, step- daughter Donna Thompson (Thomas), step- son Roland Holloman, Jr. (Stacy), grandchildren, Kristin (Shea), Roland, III, and Stephanie and great-grandchild Declan; sisters Marva Gaither, Thelma Gaither, and June Deshields; brothers Harrison Gaither, Sr. (Brenda), and Eugene Gaither, Sr. He will be greatly missed by his devoted nieces, and nephews, high-school friends, neighbors and his and Frances’ friends in the Twilites Social Club.

 Alfred was also preceded in death by siblings May Armstead, Evelyn Johnson, Shirley Toye, Daisy Jones, Muriel Galloway, Reginald Gaither, Eolus Gaither, Henry Gaither, and Dwight Gaither.

Family will receive visitors at Singleton Funeral & Cremation Services on Wednesday, June 10th, from 4 - 7 pm. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 11th, at Macedonia United Methodist Church, 1567 Sappington Station Road, Gambrills, MD 21054 at 11 am. Viewing will be held prior from 10:30 - 11 am. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville on Friday at 11:30 am.

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