Gail Stinson

Ellen Gail Stinson Born in 1937 to Rev. JW and Arcadia Lucretia Stewart, Gail was the youngest of nine children. Being a family of Methodist preacher kids, they were a tightly knit, musical family, who brought “church” wherever they went. Growing up among her siblings and her nieces and nephews, Gail quickly learned her well- known “leadership” qualities and honed her special brand of Stewart stubbornness. As time went on and her siblings’ families multiplied, each generation passed down the gifts of music, closeness, and the love of Jesus. Times spent with Aunt Thelma, Uncle Elvin, Uncle Lem, Aunt Maymie, Aunt Bootie, Aunt Arvis, Aunt Ruby and our mother gathered around a piano are cherished childhood memories of many Stewart cousins. In her teen years, Gail captured the attention of Billy Stinson, and to hear her tell it, stole him away from her neighbor. One fateful day in August, he drove up to her house with his brother, Lane and ourAunt Barbara, told her to get in, and informed her they were going to get married. The rest was history… and Gail and Billy began to create their own family legacy that lives on through their children, Rhonda, Scotty (Terri) and Lori(Tony) their grandchildren, Mandi, Michael(Natasha), Heather, Megan, Christian, Faith, Jae(Bret), Chase, Megan and great-grandchildren, Noah, Landon,Tyler, Randi, Chloe, Presley, Oakland, Blake, Silas and Felicity. Over the course of their 53 years together, times were not always easy. As a couple, They faced some of the hardest times anyone could imagine. Gail and Billy had steadfast determination and commitment to both each other and the promise the made before God which although tested, was never broken. As broken hearted as we are, our families are also rejoicing because we know Gail is no longer shackled by her broken earthly body, no longer has to mourn being here without Billy, her daughter Rhonda, her siblings and other family who went before her. I imagine that right now, Heaven is hosting the biggest Stewart family reunion ever...with “Gail Ellen” directing the festivities. Funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday May 4th at Perry Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eddie Nation, Rev. John Allen and Rev. Melvin Salter officiating; burial will follow in Cherokee Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12 PM until 2 PM at the funeral home. Pallbearers include Randy Rainey, Greg Moon, Tony O’Neal, Michael Eubanks and Mark Chandler. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church building fund. Perry Funeral Home Directing. www.perryfuneral.net

Gail Stinson

December 15, 1937 - April 30, 2021