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AMERICUS — Gail Glawson Ariail passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. A lifelong resident of Americus, Gail was born Jan. 17, 1941, the daughter of Mary Myrtle Copeland Glawson and Javeus Littleton Glawson. A funeral for Gail was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Americus with the Rev. Keith Parks officiating. Visitation took place on Saturday morning at the church preceding the funeral, and following the funeral, the Charlie Gibbs Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church hosted a family luncheon. A private burial took place later that day at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers were the Charlie Gibbs Sunday School Class and the Americus High School Class of 1959 as well as cherished friends George Ellis, Bill Harris, Jim Herron, Raymond Holt, Nelvin Kinslow, Sam Lott, Ed Pope, and Don Whitaker.

Gail loved her church, First Baptist, and she was an active member throughout her life in leadership and service roles. The Charlie Gibbs Sunday School Class was especially meaningful to her, and she was a member of the class for decades. Gail grew up in the Americus City School System and graduated from Americus High School in 1959. She held all friendships near and dear to her heart and especially loved her classmates. After high school, Gail earned a degree from Georgia Southwestern College. In 1961, she married Ervan Ariail and later had two daughters, Gayla and Ashley Ariail. Gail was an active member of the Americus community where she was blessed to serve, and as a member of the Americus Junior Service League, she held leadership positions and was committed to volunteer work. Through devotion to her husband and children, Gail actively worked in support of the Americus Rotary Club, the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce, Southland Academy, and The Raider Club. Gail’s greatest joys in life were her family and her friends, and she especially loved celebrating life with her grandchildren.

Gail leaves behind her loving husband of 58 years, Ervan Ariail, and two daughters, Gayla Ariail Payne of Auburn, Alabama, and Ashley Ariail Bernier and son-in-law Jeff Bernier of Johns Creek, Georgia. Her beloved grandchildren include Rob Payne, Ashlyn Payne, Nicholas Bernier, and Natalie Bernier Fitzhugh (Austin), and great-grandchild, Maverick Fitzhugh. Gail is also survived by other cherished relatives and a lifetime of friends.

The family requests that gifts in memory of Gail be given to First Baptist Church of Americus.

Greg Hancock Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.