Obituary for Ethel Fitzgerald Hails (Gayle)
Ethel “Gerry” Gayle Hails quietly passed away at her home in Macon, Georgia on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Services will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 11:30am and burial services will be private.
Gerry was raised by her devoted father Norman Winn Gayle and beloved mother Ethel Salter Gayle of Montgomery, Alabama. She grew to love and eventually teach ballet while attending the Miss Margaret Booth School for girls. Gerry cherished her years as a Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Alabama. As a debutante, she met and married Major Robert Emmet Hails and moved throughout the country as an Air Force Officer’s wife. Gerry was an avid reader and was passionate about her family and all animals. She will be remembered for her love and enthusiasm in all things. Gerry is preceded in death by her husband of over fifty years: Lt. Gen. Robert Emmet Hails, her brother Norman Winn Gayle, Jr., and her youngest daughter, Laura Hails Smith.
She is survived by her loving sister, Merrily Gayle Seawell of Auburn, Alabama, her children, Robert Emmet Hails Jr. (Laura) of Melbourne, Florida, Merrily Gayle Joiner (Desmond) of Fairhope, Alabama, Troy Hails Patton (Sam) of Macon, Georgia, and her grandchildren Ansley, Brian, Robert, III, Amanda, Elizabeth, Scott, Catherine, Dominic, Mary Charles, Reese, India, Donovan, three great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Museum of Aviation, 1942 Heritage Blvd, Robins AFB, GA 31098.
Gray Memorial Chapel and Crematory is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be registered online at www.graymemorialchapel.com.
Gerry was raised by her devoted father Norman Winn Gayle and beloved mother Ethel Salter Gayle of Montgomery, Alabama. She grew to love and eventually teach ballet while attending the Miss Margaret Booth School for girls. Gerry cherished her years as a Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Alabama. As a debutante, she met and married Major Robert Emmet Hails and moved throughout the country as an Air Force Officer’s wife. Gerry was an avid reader and was passionate about her family and all animals. She will be remembered for her love and enthusiasm in all things. Gerry is preceded in death by her husband of over fifty years: Lt. Gen. Robert Emmet Hails, her brother Norman Winn Gayle, Jr., and her youngest daughter, Laura Hails Smith.
She is survived by her loving sister, Merrily Gayle Seawell of Auburn, Alabama, her children, Robert Emmet Hails Jr. (Laura) of Melbourne, Florida, Merrily Gayle Joiner (Desmond) of Fairhope, Alabama, Troy Hails Patton (Sam) of Macon, Georgia, and her grandchildren Ansley, Brian, Robert, III, Amanda, Elizabeth, Scott, Catherine, Dominic, Mary Charles, Reese, India, Donovan, three great-grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Museum of Aviation, 1942 Heritage Blvd, Robins AFB, GA 31098.
Gray Memorial Chapel and Crematory is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be registered online at www.graymemorialchapel.com.