Gail Ophelia Smith, 75, of Hasty, passed away on Wednesday, May 25 (2011) at Washington Regional Medical Center, Fayetteville.
Gail was the second of five children born to Gordon Wilson and Verna Lee (Owens) Day of Jasper.
Gail was married to William E. Sanford Smith of Vendor, on June 4, 1956. They moved to Kansas City, Mo. where they lived for 20 yeras before moving back to Hasty. Gail was appointed Postmaster at Hasty in May, 1979. She retired from that position in 2009 having faithfully served her community and neighbors for 30 years.
Her favorite hobby was collecting and organizing photos of family ancestors to provide a history for her children and grandchildren. Her true calling was acts of service to others. She provided loving assistance, transportation, meals and conversation for many family members and neighbors in their time of need.
She also served her church, Piercetown Holiness, in many capacities. Her greatest joy was time spent with her family, including holidays when most of the 40 descendants would gather at her home.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, J.D. Wilson Day; a daughter, Carolyn Louene Holt; and a great-grandson, Raydon Bright.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Sanford; two sons, Allen Smith and Scott Smith and wife, Karen of Hasty; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph Day of Jasper; and two sisters, Edna Lea Gibson of Hasty and Agnes Fern Reddell and husband Harold of Vendor; and many nieces, nephews and friends who loved her very much.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 27, at Holt Memorial Chapel. Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Piercetown Holiness Church. Pastor Bob Harmon and the Rev. Dorvin Ricketts will officiate. Burial will be at the Smith Cemetery, Vendor.
Pallbearers are grandsons, Warren Holt, William Smith, Rodney Smith, Jeremy Smith, Landon Smith and Sheldon Holt. Honorary pallbearers include Cory Treadwell, Kevin Saul and Chris Larsen.
Online condolences may be left at www.holtchapel.com.
