Obituary for Commissioner Eva D. Gaither
Commissioner Eva D. Gaither
September 9, 1943 - May 24, 2022
Promotion to Glory
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Eva D. Gaither was born on September 9, 1943, in Sidney, Ohio, blessing the home of Richard and Merle Shue. She lived her early years in Sidney, graduating from Sidney High School in 1961. In 1962, Commissioner Gaither entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training where she met her future husband, Israel L. Gaither.
Commissioner Gaither was commissioned as an officer in 1964 with the Heroes of the Faith session. In her early Salvation Army ministry, she served in various corps appointments throughout Western Pennsylvania.
On July 1, 1967, in the middle of the U.S. Civil Rights movement and 17 days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage, Commissioners Gaither were married at the then Pittsburgh Northside Corps. They became the first interracial couple to serve as officers in the United States. Commissioner Gaither wrote of her marriage in a 2015 SACONNECTS article, “I want to live out my covenant to God and to my husband in the respect, affection, and care I provide for him. I want this and more to be seen from my life and through our marriage.”
Throughout their nearly 55 years of marriage, the Gaithers ministered, served and preached throughout the world. Their marriage and ministry was a true partnership working and serving side-by-side. Following two divisional leadership appointments as well as leadership appointments at the Eastern Territorial Headquarters, the Gaithers became territorial leaders in Southern Africa in 1999. Their appointments, which happened during the presidency of Nelson Mandela, signaled the Army’s continued goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her final appointments as an active Salvation Army officer, Commissioner Gaither served as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, International Headquarters (London, England) and lastly as National President of Women’s Ministries, National Headquarters (Alexandria, Va.).
Commissioner Eva, who took strength from the book of Jeremiah, said, “What a journey. I am amazed at the privilege that God has given us as Salvation Army officers. So many people have made this journey a great joy.”
In the early morning hours of May 24, 2022, Commissioner Eva D. Gaither was Promoted to Glory and called home to be with her Heavenly Father. She was deeply loved by many, none more so than her family.
Commissioner Eva D. Gaither is survived by her husband, Commissioner Israel L. Gaither (Pittsburgh, Pa.), a daughter Michele Gaither Sparks (Lexington, Ky.), a son Mark Lee Gaither and his wife, Amy (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and four grandchildren: Isaiah Highland Sparks, Matthew Israel Gaither, Virginia Marie Gaither and Andrew Adams Gaither. She also leaves behind two brothers Bill Shue and John Shue and their wives Sharon and Cathy, a sister and brother-in-law Jacqueline and Torrance Respress, and a sister-in-law Kathy Gaither Cotten. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Elizabeth and Carolyn Sue. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS. Friends and Family are welcome at 2828 Washington Rd. McMurray, 724-941-3211 on Sunday May 29th 4-7PM. Additional visitation will be held on Monday, May 30th, 9:30AM-10:30AM at The Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps, 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226. Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Commissioner Eva D. Gaither will be held on Monday, May 30th 11AM at The Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps. The Committal Service will be Wednesday, June 1st, 11AM at Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Ave. Valhalla, NY. If you would like to make a donation in Commissioner Eva’s memory, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps, Women’s Ministry, 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 (https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/western-pennsylvania/pittsburgh-temple/). Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.
September 9, 1943 - May 24, 2022
Promotion to Glory
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Eva D. Gaither was born on September 9, 1943, in Sidney, Ohio, blessing the home of Richard and Merle Shue. She lived her early years in Sidney, graduating from Sidney High School in 1961. In 1962, Commissioner Gaither entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training where she met her future husband, Israel L. Gaither.
Commissioner Gaither was commissioned as an officer in 1964 with the Heroes of the Faith session. In her early Salvation Army ministry, she served in various corps appointments throughout Western Pennsylvania.
On July 1, 1967, in the middle of the U.S. Civil Rights movement and 17 days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage, Commissioners Gaither were married at the then Pittsburgh Northside Corps. They became the first interracial couple to serve as officers in the United States. Commissioner Gaither wrote of her marriage in a 2015 SACONNECTS article, “I want to live out my covenant to God and to my husband in the respect, affection, and care I provide for him. I want this and more to be seen from my life and through our marriage.”
Throughout their nearly 55 years of marriage, the Gaithers ministered, served and preached throughout the world. Their marriage and ministry was a true partnership working and serving side-by-side. Following two divisional leadership appointments as well as leadership appointments at the Eastern Territorial Headquarters, the Gaithers became territorial leaders in Southern Africa in 1999. Their appointments, which happened during the presidency of Nelson Mandela, signaled the Army’s continued goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her final appointments as an active Salvation Army officer, Commissioner Gaither served as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, International Headquarters (London, England) and lastly as National President of Women’s Ministries, National Headquarters (Alexandria, Va.).
Commissioner Eva, who took strength from the book of Jeremiah, said, “What a journey. I am amazed at the privilege that God has given us as Salvation Army officers. So many people have made this journey a great joy.”
In the early morning hours of May 24, 2022, Commissioner Eva D. Gaither was Promoted to Glory and called home to be with her Heavenly Father. She was deeply loved by many, none more so than her family.
Commissioner Eva D. Gaither is survived by her husband, Commissioner Israel L. Gaither (Pittsburgh, Pa.), a daughter Michele Gaither Sparks (Lexington, Ky.), a son Mark Lee Gaither and his wife, Amy (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and four grandchildren: Isaiah Highland Sparks, Matthew Israel Gaither, Virginia Marie Gaither and Andrew Adams Gaither. She also leaves behind two brothers Bill Shue and John Shue and their wives Sharon and Cathy, a sister and brother-in-law Jacqueline and Torrance Respress, and a sister-in-law Kathy Gaither Cotten. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Elizabeth and Carolyn Sue. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS. Friends and Family are welcome at 2828 Washington Rd. McMurray, 724-941-3211 on Sunday May 29th 4-7PM. Additional visitation will be held on Monday, May 30th, 9:30AM-10:30AM at The Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps, 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226. Celebrating the Life and Ministry of Commissioner Eva D. Gaither will be held on Monday, May 30th 11AM at The Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps. The Committal Service will be Wednesday, June 1st, 11AM at Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Ave. Valhalla, NY. If you would like to make a donation in Commissioner Eva’s memory, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Temple Corps, Women’s Ministry, 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 (https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/western-pennsylvania/pittsburgh-temple/). Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.