Gail Fillingim

September 23, 2011

Gail Fillingim, age 95 of Enon, died Thursday September 22, 2011, in Pensacola.

She was a retired teacher, born in Nettleboro, AL, on July 23, 1916, to the late Joseph and Corrie Lambert Morris.

Mrs. Fillingim lived in Clark County, AL, until she was three years old, then moved with her family to Mobile. At age 15, her family moved to Bay Springs, FL, where they ran a community store.

After graduating from Ernest Ward High School in 1934, she attended Florida State College for Women (FSU) and the University of Florida. She returned to Escambia County and began her teaching career that spanned 40 years. She also taught part of that time in Liberty County, FL. She loved to teach and was proud to know that she was in some small way making a difference in children’s lives. She helped mentor and shape the futures of many of the area students, many of whom are now leaders in our community. She was a member of the Later Day Saints Church and was a Relief Society Teacher for many years.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, R.T. “Tommie” Fillingim and two sisters, Mildred Morris and Hortense Huffmaster.

Mrs. Fillingim is survived by one daughter, Susan Purvis and husband, Gary of Atmore; two grandchildren, Gary Wayne Purvis and wife, Monica of Blountstown, FL, Sharon Delmar and husband, Mark of Atmore; three great-grandchildren, Nick Delmar, Brandon Purvis and Colton Purvis; special niece, Mitzi (James) Windham; special nephews, Don (Mary) Huffmaster, Eric Fillingim; and a host of cousins.

Services will be Sunday, September 25, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore with Rev. Jim Reese and Bro. Lloyd Albritton officiating.. Interment will follow in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Chester “Butch” Watson, Wendell Hall, Wayne “Sambo” Garrett, James Windham, Rodney Fillingim and Wayne Fillingim. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Belleu, Bernice Robbins, Yvonne Obren, Elaine Levan, Mary Lee Garrett, Phil Lucas, Ellen Settle and Dave Fillingim.

Family will receive friends Sunday, September 25, 2011, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1:30 p.m. until service time.

The family would like to thank Sabal House Assisted Living Facility for their compassionate care. Flowers will be accepted but donations can be made to Covenant Hospice.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is  in charge of all arrangements.

Comments

One Response to “Gail Fillingim”

  1. Rita Dagen on September 25th, 2011 12:05 pm

    Dear Susan and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Mrs. Gail. She was a beautiful, special person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

    Rita

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries