John T. Gayden III, born August 16, 1940, in Rome, Mississippi to Mr. John T. II and Mary Gayden. He was the second youngest of 8 children. He moved to Illinois at the age of 18 and began his career at Johnson’s Motor a few years later. After 31 years of service, John retired in 1996. He gave his life to the Lord at an early age and was a true man of God. He was an ordained a Deacon and continued being a faithful servant to the Lord.
John would later meet his soul mate, Mary, and after 6 months of courtship, married on August 15, 1992. Together, they built a life full of love, happiness, and everlasting memories over the past 28 years. Their union joined 8 kids: Cassandra, John T IV, Victor, Yvonne, LaDawn, Randolph, Mark, and Maurice. Family time became essential and John loved his family dearly.
John T. Gayden was preceded in death by his parents, John T. II and Mary Gayden; his siblings: Joseph Gayden, Charles (Bodie) Gayden, Larry (Red) Gayden, Pearly Palmer, and William Gayden.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Mary Gayden of South Bend, Indiana; his son, John T. Gayden IV (Mireya) of Yuma, Arizona; his daughter, Cassandra Jones of West Chester, Pennsylvania; his stepchildren: Victor Price of Louisville, Kentucky, Yvonne (Jeff) Patterson of South Bend, Indiana, LaDawn Merrell of Chicago, Illinois, Randolph Merrell of Chicago, Illinois, Mark Merrell of Chicago, Illinois, and Maurice (Karen) Merrell of Louisiana; his brother, Sylvester (Sally) Gayden of Muscle Shoals, Alabama; his sister, Sara Gayden of Griffin, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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