After more than 22 years of illness, 15 of which were in bed, Gail Virginia Moxley Jones, age 72, died and arose on Monday April 5, 2010, the day following Easter, in Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
On that day, her favorite Don Juan roses and Palm tree blooms burst into full red and gold colors on her patio. One red rose was the only material thing she had requested to take with her.
She was born May 29, 1937 to a loving Chicago, Ill. couple, Octavia Belva Spencer Moxley and John Eldon Moxley; formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo. and Marcellus, Mich. respectfully.
Mrs. Jones is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dr. Douglas E. Jones; farm born and raised on Ahoskie-Cofield Road; father-in-law Mr. Tupper Webster Jones of Ahoskie and aunt-in-law Mrs. Ruth Rose Jones Henderson of Winton.
Gail lighted small and gigantic spaces as she entered, and all knew this 68 inch-90 pound lady would cuddle the lowest and stand toe to toe with the highest and mightiest among them. Since her childhood, people willingly and cheerfully accepted her take charge leadership. She was the boss to the end.
She earned a Master’s degree in early childhood education and was certified in modern mathematics from Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Jones traveled across the nation to military forts, towns and cities, and became a professional volunteer and fundraiser for developing children, communities, chambers of commerce programs; performing, visual and literary arts; and military organization auxiliaries.
As the very visible spouse of the executive, she was a perfect ombudsman, who regularly worked the halls, clinics, wards, and classes in hospitals and among healthcare education and training developers to greet, meet, socialize and draw ideas from patients and informal leaders in order to help upper echelon management improve and maintain very best standards of care by policy and deed. She loved to visit with receptionists and secretaries, her best source of unvarnished truths.
She, a member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Committee, and development board for the George Washington Carver Culture Center, greeted and hosted visiting dignitaries who came to help raise spirits and funds for charities, businesses, and farm and ranch activities. She was one of three who initiated the Cavalcade of Stars performances, and a charter member of the Small City-County Commission which established the annual Martin Luther King birthday celebrations, in which hundreds of thousands have participated.
Gail enjoyed gliding across dance floors with excellent partners on every set, playing bridge with novices and professionals, cruising the seas with extended family and engaging in friendly intellectual banter or tough negotiations of any ethical proportions. Being in charge to the very end of her worldly life and beginning anew she sends a great big loving “Thank You” to caregivers, neighbors, friends, colleagues and family for making her so very happy and yielding to her wishes and needs. She had no enemies.
Gail, with her husband, practiced Orthodoxies derived from God’s first command to mankind (Genesis 2:24); and encouraged others to follow on. She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ, Chicago, Ill. A private service was held in Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “Development Board, the Carver Cultural Center, 226 North Hackberry Street, San Antonio, Texas 78202”.
Arrangements with Hertford County Undertakers, 416 South Main St., Winton, NC 27986, (252) 358-3141.