Gail A. Durham, lovingly known as GG to her grandchildren, passed away October 6, 2021 in Austin, TX at the age of 81. Gail was born March 16, 1940 in Houston, TX to Harry William and Mary Brooks Anderson. Gail was a Putnam City school teacher for several years until she married Bob Durham and went to work with him in the insurance adjusting business. In her later, years she enjoyed volunteering at the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Omniplex. Bob and Gail built their lake house in 1980 at Lake Eufaula, which the family enjoyed for many years. Gail loved teaching her family to water ski, play cards and enjoy nature. In 1998, when Bob retired they became professional travelers across the USA, Canada and Mexico in their motorhome. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, two children, Cheryl and Jim Meyer and stepdaughter, Debra Fowler and two brothers, Harry Anderson, Jr and Reece Anderson. She is survived by stepson, Bobby Durham and wife, Tina, stepdaughter, Susan Durham, four grandchildren, Joel Durham and wife, Rachel, Hannah Durham, Justin Hendrickson and wife, Stacey and Angela Spencer and husband, Chris, six great grandchildren and one on the way. A service celebrating her life will be held at Noon on Friday, October 15, 2021 in the Bill Merritt Memorial Chapel.
Published in the Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Friday, October 15, 2021, Page 13A.
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ary Gail Anderson Durham was called home to her Lord Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021. Gail had struggled with the devastating effects of Alzheimer Disease for the last 13 years. She was able to live out her days under the tender care of an amazing team of dedicated caregivers headed by Hester Ramirez. Gail's every comfort and need were met and the family is everlastingly grateful. Gail was born in Houston March 16, 1940, the youngest of three and only daughter of Harry William Anderson and Mary Sears Brooks Anderson. Her older brothers, Harry and Reece, doted on their baby sister. Gail was definitely the "princess" in their family. Gail attended Lamar High School in Houston and Greenbriar Academy in West Virginia. She married Lawrence (Lorrie) Meyer and they had 2 children, Jimmy and Cheryl. The family moved to Oklahoma City where Gail returned to school for her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She taught math for 15 years at PC Central Junior High where she was a perennial favorite. Every summer Gail, Lorrie, and the kids would travel to Texas to visit the family at 'The Farm'. It was always a favorite time for the Meyer family to be with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. They would fish, swim, drive tractors and motorcycles, ride horses, climb trees, pick bluebonnets, shoot .22 rifles, and sleep on the huge screened porch. Every Christmas they would join the family in Houston for the traditional celebration at Mom and Pop's. After suffering the unthinkable tragedy of losing both children in random accidents (Cheryl at age 15 and Jimmy 5 years later at 22), Gail carried on. She married Robert (Bob) Durham in 1978. He was the love of her life and they were inseparable until his death in 2012. Bob and Gail loved to travel and they did so extensively in their RV, visiting the capitals of 49 of the 50 states over the years. They had a house on Lake Eufaula where they spent many happy weekends together and with Bob's family. Gail embraced the Durham children and grandchildren, treating them as her own, and they adored her in return. Gail and Bob also continued to spend time in Texas at 'The Farm' and in Houston visiting her Anderson family. Gail loved babies, animals, birds, and flowers. She loved the hot tub on the screen porch that she and Bob shared. Her beautiful smile, deep dimples, brilliant blue eyes, and unfailingly sweet disposition will remain in our hearts forever. After Bob's death, the ravages of Alzheimer's had progressed and Gail was unable to care for herself. Lisa Kamp, Cheryl's best friend from childhood and a part of the family for over 50 years, moved in with Gail. Lisa was a surrogate daughter and devoted caregiver to Gail, and was Gail's constant companion and traveling partner. When Gail asked to return to Texas in 2016 to be close to her Anderson family, Lisa moved with her to Austin. Gail is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Julie Anderson, Chris Anderson, Reece Anderson, Genie Anderson, Jill Marsden and Mary Kay Hunt, and numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her step-children Bobby Durham and Susan Durham, and numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters-in-law Ann Anderson and Gail Anderson, and by devoted friend and surrogate daughter Lisa Kamp. Preceding Gail are her parents Mary and Harry, her brothers Harry, Jr and Reece, her children Jimmy and Cheryl, her husband Bob, her nephew Neil Anderson, and her step-daughter Debra Durham. A special thank you for the care, devotion and extraordinary service given to Gail by Hester Ramirez, Olivia Willis, Stephanie Hernandez, Samantha Sotelo and Maria del Sanchez.
Private family funeral services were held in Oklahoma City by Bill Merritt Funeral Home.
Published in the Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Friday, October 15, 2021, Page 13A.
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ary Gail Anderson Durham was called home to her Lord Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021. Gail had struggled with the devastating effects of Alzheimer Disease for the last 13 years. She was able to live out her days under the tender care of an amazing team of dedicated caregivers headed by Hester Ramirez. Gail's every comfort and need were met and the family is everlastingly grateful. Gail was born in Houston March 16, 1940, the youngest of three and only daughter of Harry William Anderson and Mary Sears Brooks Anderson. Her older brothers, Harry and Reece, doted on their baby sister. Gail was definitely the "princess" in their family. Gail attended Lamar High School in Houston and Greenbriar Academy in West Virginia. She married Lawrence (Lorrie) Meyer and they had 2 children, Jimmy and Cheryl. The family moved to Oklahoma City where Gail returned to school for her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She taught math for 15 years at PC Central Junior High where she was a perennial favorite. Every summer Gail, Lorrie, and the kids would travel to Texas to visit the family at 'The Farm'. It was always a favorite time for the Meyer family to be with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. They would fish, swim, drive tractors and motorcycles, ride horses, climb trees, pick bluebonnets, shoot .22 rifles, and sleep on the huge screened porch. Every Christmas they would join the family in Houston for the traditional celebration at Mom and Pop's. After suffering the unthinkable tragedy of losing both children in random accidents (Cheryl at age 15 and Jimmy 5 years later at 22), Gail carried on. She married Robert (Bob) Durham in 1978. He was the love of her life and they were inseparable until his death in 2012. Bob and Gail loved to travel and they did so extensively in their RV, visiting the capitals of 49 of the 50 states over the years. They had a house on Lake Eufaula where they spent many happy weekends together and with Bob's family. Gail embraced the Durham children and grandchildren, treating them as her own, and they adored her in return. Gail and Bob also continued to spend time in Texas at 'The Farm' and in Houston visiting her Anderson family. Gail loved babies, animals, birds, and flowers. She loved the hot tub on the screen porch that she and Bob shared. Her beautiful smile, deep dimples, brilliant blue eyes, and unfailingly sweet disposition will remain in our hearts forever. After Bob's death, the ravages of Alzheimer's had progressed and Gail was unable to care for herself. Lisa Kamp, Cheryl's best friend from childhood and a part of the family for over 50 years, moved in with Gail. Lisa was a surrogate daughter and devoted caregiver to Gail, and was Gail's constant companion and traveling partner. When Gail asked to return to Texas in 2016 to be close to her Anderson family, Lisa moved with her to Austin. Gail is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Julie Anderson, Chris Anderson, Reece Anderson, Genie Anderson, Jill Marsden and Mary Kay Hunt, and numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her step-children Bobby Durham and Susan Durham, and numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters-in-law Ann Anderson and Gail Anderson, and by devoted friend and surrogate daughter Lisa Kamp. Preceding Gail are her parents Mary and Harry, her brothers Harry, Jr and Reece, her children Jimmy and Cheryl, her husband Bob, her nephew Neil Anderson, and her step-daughter Debra Durham. A special thank you for the care, devotion and extraordinary service given to Gail by Hester Ramirez, Olivia Willis, Stephanie Hernandez, Samantha Sotelo and Maria del Sanchez.
Private family funeral services were held in Oklahoma City by Bill Merritt Funeral Home.
Gail A. Durham, lovingly known as GG to her grandchildren, passed away October 6, 2021 in Austin, TX at the age of 81. Gail was born March 16, 1940 in Houston, TX to Harry William and Mary Brooks Anderson. Gail was a Putnam City school teacher for several years until she married Bob Durham and went to work with him in the insurance adjusting business. In her later, years she enjoyed volunteering at the Oklahoma City Zoo and the Omniplex. Bob and Gail built their lake house in 1980 at Lake Eufaula, which the family enjoyed for many years. Gail loved teaching her family to water ski, play cards and enjoy nature. In 1998, when Bob retired they became professional travelers across the USA, Canada and Mexico in their motorhome. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, two children, Cheryl and Jim Meyer and stepdaughter, Debra Fowler and two brothers, Harry Anderson, Jr and Reece Anderson. She is survived by stepson, Bobby Durham and wife, Tina, stepdaughter, Susan Durham, four grandchildren, Joel Durham and wife, Rachel, Hannah Durham, Justin Hendrickson and wife, Stacey and Angela Spencer and husband, Chris, six great grandchildren and one on the way. A service celebrating her life will be held at Noon on Friday, October 15, 2021 in the Bill Merritt Memorial Chapel.
Published in the Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Friday, October 15, 2021, Page 13A.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ary Gail Anderson Durham was called home to her Lord Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021. Gail had struggled with the devastating effects of Alzheimer Disease for the last 13 years. She was able to live out her days under the tender care of an amazing team of dedicated caregivers headed by Hester Ramirez. Gail's every comfort and need were met and the family is everlastingly grateful. Gail was born in Houston March 16, 1940, the youngest of three and only daughter of Harry William Anderson and Mary Sears Brooks Anderson. Her older brothers, Harry and Reece, doted on their baby sister. Gail was definitely the "princess" in their family. Gail attended Lamar High School in Houston and Greenbriar Academy in West Virginia. She married Lawrence (Lorrie) Meyer and they had 2 children, Jimmy and Cheryl. The family moved to Oklahoma City where Gail returned to school for her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She taught math for 15 years at PC Central Junior High where she was a perennial favorite. Every summer Gail, Lorrie, and the kids would travel to Texas to visit the family at 'The Farm'. It was always a favorite time for the Meyer family to be with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. They would fish, swim, drive tractors and motorcycles, ride horses, climb trees, pick bluebonnets, shoot .22 rifles, and sleep on the huge screened porch. Every Christmas they would join the family in Houston for the traditional celebration at Mom and Pop's. After suffering the unthinkable tragedy of losing both children in random accidents (Cheryl at age 15 and Jimmy 5 years later at 22), Gail carried on. She married Robert (Bob) Durham in 1978. He was the love of her life and they were inseparable until his death in 2012. Bob and Gail loved to travel and they did so extensively in their RV, visiting the capitals of 49 of the 50 states over the years. They had a house on Lake Eufaula where they spent many happy weekends together and with Bob's family. Gail embraced the Durham children and grandchildren, treating them as her own, and they adored her in return. Gail and Bob also continued to spend time in Texas at 'The Farm' and in Houston visiting her Anderson family. Gail loved babies, animals, birds, and flowers. She loved the hot tub on the screen porch that she and Bob shared. Her beautiful smile, deep dimples, brilliant blue eyes, and unfailingly sweet disposition will remain in our hearts forever. After Bob's death, the ravages of Alzheimer's had progressed and Gail was unable to care for herself. Lisa Kamp, Cheryl's best friend from childhood and a part of the family for over 50 years, moved in with Gail. Lisa was a surrogate daughter and devoted caregiver to Gail, and was Gail's constant companion and traveling partner. When Gail asked to return to Texas in 2016 to be close to her Anderson family, Lisa moved with her to Austin. Gail is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Julie Anderson, Chris Anderson, Reece Anderson, Genie Anderson, Jill Marsden and Mary Kay Hunt, and numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her step-children Bobby Durham and Susan Durham, and numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters-in-law Ann Anderson and Gail Anderson, and by devoted friend and surrogate daughter Lisa Kamp. Preceding Gail are her parents Mary and Harry, her brothers Harry, Jr and Reece, her children Jimmy and Cheryl, her husband Bob, her nephew Neil Anderson, and her step-daughter Debra Durham. A special thank you for the care, devotion and extraordinary service given to Gail by Hester Ramirez, Olivia Willis, Stephanie Hernandez, Samantha Sotelo and Maria del Sanchez.
Private family funeral services were held in Oklahoma City by Bill Merritt Funeral Home.
Published in the Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Friday, October 15, 2021, Page 13A.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ary Gail Anderson Durham was called home to her Lord Wednesday afternoon, October 6, 2021. Gail had struggled with the devastating effects of Alzheimer Disease for the last 13 years. She was able to live out her days under the tender care of an amazing team of dedicated caregivers headed by Hester Ramirez. Gail's every comfort and need were met and the family is everlastingly grateful. Gail was born in Houston March 16, 1940, the youngest of three and only daughter of Harry William Anderson and Mary Sears Brooks Anderson. Her older brothers, Harry and Reece, doted on their baby sister. Gail was definitely the "princess" in their family. Gail attended Lamar High School in Houston and Greenbriar Academy in West Virginia. She married Lawrence (Lorrie) Meyer and they had 2 children, Jimmy and Cheryl. The family moved to Oklahoma City where Gail returned to school for her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. She taught math for 15 years at PC Central Junior High where she was a perennial favorite. Every summer Gail, Lorrie, and the kids would travel to Texas to visit the family at 'The Farm'. It was always a favorite time for the Meyer family to be with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. They would fish, swim, drive tractors and motorcycles, ride horses, climb trees, pick bluebonnets, shoot .22 rifles, and sleep on the huge screened porch. Every Christmas they would join the family in Houston for the traditional celebration at Mom and Pop's. After suffering the unthinkable tragedy of losing both children in random accidents (Cheryl at age 15 and Jimmy 5 years later at 22), Gail carried on. She married Robert (Bob) Durham in 1978. He was the love of her life and they were inseparable until his death in 2012. Bob and Gail loved to travel and they did so extensively in their RV, visiting the capitals of 49 of the 50 states over the years. They had a house on Lake Eufaula where they spent many happy weekends together and with Bob's family. Gail embraced the Durham children and grandchildren, treating them as her own, and they adored her in return. Gail and Bob also continued to spend time in Texas at 'The Farm' and in Houston visiting her Anderson family. Gail loved babies, animals, birds, and flowers. She loved the hot tub on the screen porch that she and Bob shared. Her beautiful smile, deep dimples, brilliant blue eyes, and unfailingly sweet disposition will remain in our hearts forever. After Bob's death, the ravages of Alzheimer's had progressed and Gail was unable to care for herself. Lisa Kamp, Cheryl's best friend from childhood and a part of the family for over 50 years, moved in with Gail. Lisa was a surrogate daughter and devoted caregiver to Gail, and was Gail's constant companion and traveling partner. When Gail asked to return to Texas in 2016 to be close to her Anderson family, Lisa moved with her to Austin. Gail is survived by her loving nieces and nephews, Julie Anderson, Chris Anderson, Reece Anderson, Genie Anderson, Jill Marsden and Mary Kay Hunt, and numerous great-nieces and nephews; and her step-children Bobby Durham and Susan Durham, and numerous step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters-in-law Ann Anderson and Gail Anderson, and by devoted friend and surrogate daughter Lisa Kamp. Preceding Gail are her parents Mary and Harry, her brothers Harry, Jr and Reece, her children Jimmy and Cheryl, her husband Bob, her nephew Neil Anderson, and her step-daughter Debra Durham. A special thank you for the care, devotion and extraordinary service given to Gail by Hester Ramirez, Olivia Willis, Stephanie Hernandez, Samantha Sotelo and Maria del Sanchez.
Private family funeral services were held in Oklahoma City by Bill Merritt Funeral Home.
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