Our legacy

About Us

Through years of experience, we've gained valuable insights—like how to offer choices without overwhelming, and how to address the needs of multiple caring individuals. When people turn to us in their most challenging moments, we respond with compassion, clarity, and expertise.

Our goal is to create a memorable experience and ensure you always feel welcome. We dedicate our time to planning alongside families, staying informed on the latest industry developments, and making hard times a little easier.

Our Founder

In the early 1940's Bert Bethune, son of the legendary Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, founded the Bethune Funeral Home, which was at that time located on the corner of Lincoln and Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Dr. Rabie Gainous, Jr., a Science Professor at Bethune-Cookman College, wanted to expand his career to include Mortuary Science. Dr. Gainous became a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and purchased the Bethune establishment, renaming it RJ Gainous Funeral Home. As the business progressed, he relocated to 804 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Dr. Gainous, a man of gentle spirit, worked faithfully until his demise in Nov of 2001. Having no family to carry on his legacy, Mrs. Gainous relied solely on their well-trained and highly skilled godson, Alexander C. Wynn, III, to manage the family business. Alexander C. Wynn, III, an intern, Funeral Director, and godson of Dr. Gainous, became the sole proprietor of this establishment from Mrs. Gainous in May 2003. Alexander honored the wishes of Dr. Gainous that the establishment remain in his name as RJ Gainous Funeral Home. Alexander continues to provide professional, compassionate, qualified, confident, and assuring service with dignity. 


Alexander has over thirty years of experience in Funeral Service. The love of becoming a Mortician was a childhood dream. 


 "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith" is the chosen scripture for the RJ Gainous Funeral Home. 

The Legacy Continues

Alexander C. Wynn, III, was born in Sanford, FL, to proud parents, the late Alexander and Ella Wynn. He attended public school in Seminole County and is a graduate of Crooms High School, Sanford, FL. Seeking his ultimate dream of becoming a Mortician, Alexander enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College, where he received his associate's degree in Mortuary Science. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Shaw University. Alexander received his formal training at the Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary, Sanford, FL; Zanders Funeral Home, Apopka, FL; and RJ Gainous Funeral Home, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL. In 1995, Alexander purchased the RJ Gainous Funeral Home of New Smyrna Beach, FL. He renamed it Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc.


1996

In 1996, he became Co-owner with Gail A. Thomas-DeWitt of the Gail & Wynn's Mortuary, Inc., Orlando, FL. This was the former Bruton's Funeral Home, "The house by the side of the road".  


Following the death of one of his mentors and employer, Dr. R.J. Gainous, in May of 2003, Alexander became the sole proprietor of the RJ Gainous Funeral Home, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL.

Alexander C. Wynn, III was born in Sanford, FL. to proud parents, the late Alexander and Ella Wynn. He attended public school in Seminole County and is a graduate of Crooms High School, Sanford, FL. Seeking his ultimate dream to become a Mortician, Alexander enrolled at Miami-Dade Community College, where he received his Associates degree in Mortuary Science. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Shaw University. Alexander received his formal training at the Wilson-Eichelberger Mortuary, Sanford, FL, Zanders Funeral Home, Apopka, FL and RJ Gainous Funeral Home, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL. In 1995 Alexander purchased the RJ Gainous Funeral Home of New Smyrna Beach, FL. He renamed it Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc.

1996

In 1996 he became Co-owner with Gail A. Thomas-DeWitt of the Gail & Wynn's Mortuary, Inc., Orlando, FL. This was the former Bruton's Funeral Home, "The house by the side of the road". 



Following the death of one of his mentors and employer, Dr. R.J. Gainous, in May of 2003, Alexander became the sole proprietor of the RJ Gainous Funeral Home, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL.

Alexander is a retired employee of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where he worked as a Government Consultant. His present religious, professional, and civic affiliations are:


  • Member of Allen Chapel AME Church of Sanford, FL, and Mt. Zion AME Church of Daytona Beach
  • Member of the Council on Crime Delinquency
  • American Correctional Association
  • 2023-2024 President of the Florida Morticians Association (2nd term)
  • Member of the National Funeral Directors Association
  • Who's Who among Professionals
  • 65th President of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc.
  • Chairman of the Board, NFDMA
  • 2015 Embalmer of the Year for The National Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc.
  • 2013 Vice-President of The National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
  • 1999 Florida Mortician of the Year
  • Past Chairman of the Board, Florida Morticians Association
  • Past Chairman of the Fourth Regional District- FMA
  • Past District Governor-National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association
  • Southern Regional Vice-President-Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc.
  • President, Epsilon Nu Delta-Alpha Gamma Chapter
  • Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Member Independent Funeral Directors Association
  • 100 Black Men, Kiwanis International
  • Ross Lodge #19 AM/FM
  • Past Commissioner and Chairman of the Sanford Housing Authority
  • Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce
  • Life Member of the NAACP
  • Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.


His achievements during the years have been many.

Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc., New Smyrna Beach, FL; Gail & Wynn's Mortuary, Inc., Orlando, FL; RJ Gainous Funeral Home, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL; and A. C. Wynn Funeral Services, Inc., Sanford, FL, are full-service funeral homes providing a dignified, professional, affordable service for everyone: Direct Burial, Cremation, Out-of-Town Service, Air Shipping, Pre-Need Arrangements, At-Need Arrangements, Church Services, Graveside Services, Memorials, Wakes.