d/o Blaine Willard & Josephine Pinson Harman
w/o Oaka Hare Williams, Jr.
Married: 05 Jan 1952 in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
Gail Ruth Harman Williams
17 Mar 1934 ~ 10 Feb 2022
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Gail Ruth Williams of 122 Crescent Street (Harmony Acres Lane), Bluefield, Va., passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home. Gail, as she was so affectionately known by her family and friends, was born on March 17, 1934 at her parent's home in Bluefield, VA to the late Mr. and Mrs. Blaine W. Harman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Oaka H. Williams, Jr.; twin brother Darrow Harman, and sisters Margaret Harman, and Helen Harman Kidwell; brother-in-law Robert W. Kidwell; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Moore and Barbara Kennett; and nephews and nieces Bobby, Barbara, Billie, and Craig (Kidwell).
She was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School where she excelled in basketball and band as the Graham High School Drum and Bugle Corp drum major. When the Corp participated in a parade in Miami, FL honoring veterans in the late 1940s, with General Douglas McArthur as Master of Ceremonies, of the twenty or so bands that participated, Gail was selected by a committee of organizers as the prettiest of all drum majors. She worked for Barnett Oil, Inc. in Bluefield Virginia in the 1960s, was a teacher's aide at Graham High School in the early 1970s, opened an art store in Bluefield, Virginia in the 1980s, worked for Belk at the Mercer Mall in the 1990s, and the town of Bluefield, Virginia as manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool. She was an avid artist and member of the Appalachian Artists Association. Many of her paintings are still displayed in local businesses and other establishments throughout the surrounding counties. Gail was more prominently recognized for her presence as co-manager and manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool for 60 years, and her guidance and affection for the youth of the surrounding area who attended the Pool in the summer months. She engaged parents in learning how to waterproof their infants in waters that would normally result in compromising and accidental health situations for a small child. As a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, she trained many adolescents and adults how to teach beginning and advanced beginner swimming lessons to thousands of children from 1953-1990 and 1994-2016, while instructing directly those children, adolescents, and young adults who wanted to improve their swimming skills in swimmer, advanced swimmer, junior lifeguard, and senior lifeguard classes. Each August for several years throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she produced a water show that included diving performances, synchronized swimming, performers of dance, music, and gymnastics, and clown acts for the Bluefield communities. Almost all of the participants in the water shows were teenagers, both male and female, who to this day revere Gail as instrumental in molding their character and treating them with loving guidance. She was an active and supportive citizen of the Town of Bluefield, Virginia. As a mother of two, she was actively involved in the PTA, was a Girl Scout mother, and supported all academic and athletic activities and endeavors in which her children participated. An avid G-Man, she enthusiastically supported all athletes and teams associated with Graham High School athletics. Gail was of the Christian Science faith from 1947 to the time of her passing.
She is survived by her sister, Joann Harman of Bluefield, VA; children Gary and wife Tammy of Bluefield, VA and Valerie of Bluefield, VA; brother-in-law Jack Williams and wife Hazel of Christiansburg, VA; and sister-in-laws Ann Boyd Newman of Pinehurst, N.C., and Irene Harman of North Tazewell, VA. She was a proud grandmother of Kellan Steckline of Great Bridge, VA; Lauren Overton of Great Bridge, VA; Travis Williams of Virginia Beach, VA; Britton Williams of Sanger, TX; Cameron Williams of Bloomfield, NJ; and Caitlin Williams of Atlanta, GA. She was great-grandmother to Aubrey and Berkley Steckline, Fisher and Sawyer Overton, and Tanner and Dominic Williams. She was aunt to nieces and nephews John, Brenda, and Steve (Kidwell); Brian, Barry, and Amanda (Harman); Debbie, Jackie, Teresa, Cindy, and Mark (Williams); Elizabeth and Leigh (Kennett); Johnathan and Paul (Newman); and great aunt to several nephews and nieces.
In keeping with her wishes, Gail was cremated and no service or memorial will be held. There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2022.
w/o Oaka Hare Williams, Jr.
Married: 05 Jan 1952 in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
Gail Ruth Harman Williams
17 Mar 1934 ~ 10 Feb 2022
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Gail Ruth Williams of 122 Crescent Street (Harmony Acres Lane), Bluefield, Va., passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home. Gail, as she was so affectionately known by her family and friends, was born on March 17, 1934 at her parent's home in Bluefield, VA to the late Mr. and Mrs. Blaine W. Harman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Oaka H. Williams, Jr.; twin brother Darrow Harman, and sisters Margaret Harman, and Helen Harman Kidwell; brother-in-law Robert W. Kidwell; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Moore and Barbara Kennett; and nephews and nieces Bobby, Barbara, Billie, and Craig (Kidwell).
She was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School where she excelled in basketball and band as the Graham High School Drum and Bugle Corp drum major. When the Corp participated in a parade in Miami, FL honoring veterans in the late 1940s, with General Douglas McArthur as Master of Ceremonies, of the twenty or so bands that participated, Gail was selected by a committee of organizers as the prettiest of all drum majors. She worked for Barnett Oil, Inc. in Bluefield Virginia in the 1960s, was a teacher's aide at Graham High School in the early 1970s, opened an art store in Bluefield, Virginia in the 1980s, worked for Belk at the Mercer Mall in the 1990s, and the town of Bluefield, Virginia as manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool. She was an avid artist and member of the Appalachian Artists Association. Many of her paintings are still displayed in local businesses and other establishments throughout the surrounding counties. Gail was more prominently recognized for her presence as co-manager and manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool for 60 years, and her guidance and affection for the youth of the surrounding area who attended the Pool in the summer months. She engaged parents in learning how to waterproof their infants in waters that would normally result in compromising and accidental health situations for a small child. As a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, she trained many adolescents and adults how to teach beginning and advanced beginner swimming lessons to thousands of children from 1953-1990 and 1994-2016, while instructing directly those children, adolescents, and young adults who wanted to improve their swimming skills in swimmer, advanced swimmer, junior lifeguard, and senior lifeguard classes. Each August for several years throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she produced a water show that included diving performances, synchronized swimming, performers of dance, music, and gymnastics, and clown acts for the Bluefield communities. Almost all of the participants in the water shows were teenagers, both male and female, who to this day revere Gail as instrumental in molding their character and treating them with loving guidance. She was an active and supportive citizen of the Town of Bluefield, Virginia. As a mother of two, she was actively involved in the PTA, was a Girl Scout mother, and supported all academic and athletic activities and endeavors in which her children participated. An avid G-Man, she enthusiastically supported all athletes and teams associated with Graham High School athletics. Gail was of the Christian Science faith from 1947 to the time of her passing.
She is survived by her sister, Joann Harman of Bluefield, VA; children Gary and wife Tammy of Bluefield, VA and Valerie of Bluefield, VA; brother-in-law Jack Williams and wife Hazel of Christiansburg, VA; and sister-in-laws Ann Boyd Newman of Pinehurst, N.C., and Irene Harman of North Tazewell, VA. She was a proud grandmother of Kellan Steckline of Great Bridge, VA; Lauren Overton of Great Bridge, VA; Travis Williams of Virginia Beach, VA; Britton Williams of Sanger, TX; Cameron Williams of Bloomfield, NJ; and Caitlin Williams of Atlanta, GA. She was great-grandmother to Aubrey and Berkley Steckline, Fisher and Sawyer Overton, and Tanner and Dominic Williams. She was aunt to nieces and nephews John, Brenda, and Steve (Kidwell); Brian, Barry, and Amanda (Harman); Debbie, Jackie, Teresa, Cindy, and Mark (Williams); Elizabeth and Leigh (Kennett); Johnathan and Paul (Newman); and great aunt to several nephews and nieces.
In keeping with her wishes, Gail was cremated and no service or memorial will be held. There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2022.
d/o Blaine Willard & Josephine Pinson Harman
w/o Oaka Hare Williams, Jr.
Married: 05 Jan 1952 in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
Gail Ruth Harman Williams
17 Mar 1934 ~ 10 Feb 2022
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Gail Ruth Williams of 122 Crescent Street (Harmony Acres Lane), Bluefield, Va., passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home. Gail, as she was so affectionately known by her family and friends, was born on March 17, 1934 at her parent's home in Bluefield, VA to the late Mr. and Mrs. Blaine W. Harman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Oaka H. Williams, Jr.; twin brother Darrow Harman, and sisters Margaret Harman, and Helen Harman Kidwell; brother-in-law Robert W. Kidwell; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Moore and Barbara Kennett; and nephews and nieces Bobby, Barbara, Billie, and Craig (Kidwell).
She was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School where she excelled in basketball and band as the Graham High School Drum and Bugle Corp drum major. When the Corp participated in a parade in Miami, FL honoring veterans in the late 1940s, with General Douglas McArthur as Master of Ceremonies, of the twenty or so bands that participated, Gail was selected by a committee of organizers as the prettiest of all drum majors. She worked for Barnett Oil, Inc. in Bluefield Virginia in the 1960s, was a teacher's aide at Graham High School in the early 1970s, opened an art store in Bluefield, Virginia in the 1980s, worked for Belk at the Mercer Mall in the 1990s, and the town of Bluefield, Virginia as manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool. She was an avid artist and member of the Appalachian Artists Association. Many of her paintings are still displayed in local businesses and other establishments throughout the surrounding counties. Gail was more prominently recognized for her presence as co-manager and manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool for 60 years, and her guidance and affection for the youth of the surrounding area who attended the Pool in the summer months. She engaged parents in learning how to waterproof their infants in waters that would normally result in compromising and accidental health situations for a small child. As a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, she trained many adolescents and adults how to teach beginning and advanced beginner swimming lessons to thousands of children from 1953-1990 and 1994-2016, while instructing directly those children, adolescents, and young adults who wanted to improve their swimming skills in swimmer, advanced swimmer, junior lifeguard, and senior lifeguard classes. Each August for several years throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she produced a water show that included diving performances, synchronized swimming, performers of dance, music, and gymnastics, and clown acts for the Bluefield communities. Almost all of the participants in the water shows were teenagers, both male and female, who to this day revere Gail as instrumental in molding their character and treating them with loving guidance. She was an active and supportive citizen of the Town of Bluefield, Virginia. As a mother of two, she was actively involved in the PTA, was a Girl Scout mother, and supported all academic and athletic activities and endeavors in which her children participated. An avid G-Man, she enthusiastically supported all athletes and teams associated with Graham High School athletics. Gail was of the Christian Science faith from 1947 to the time of her passing.
She is survived by her sister, Joann Harman of Bluefield, VA; children Gary and wife Tammy of Bluefield, VA and Valerie of Bluefield, VA; brother-in-law Jack Williams and wife Hazel of Christiansburg, VA; and sister-in-laws Ann Boyd Newman of Pinehurst, N.C., and Irene Harman of North Tazewell, VA. She was a proud grandmother of Kellan Steckline of Great Bridge, VA; Lauren Overton of Great Bridge, VA; Travis Williams of Virginia Beach, VA; Britton Williams of Sanger, TX; Cameron Williams of Bloomfield, NJ; and Caitlin Williams of Atlanta, GA. She was great-grandmother to Aubrey and Berkley Steckline, Fisher and Sawyer Overton, and Tanner and Dominic Williams. She was aunt to nieces and nephews John, Brenda, and Steve (Kidwell); Brian, Barry, and Amanda (Harman); Debbie, Jackie, Teresa, Cindy, and Mark (Williams); Elizabeth and Leigh (Kennett); Johnathan and Paul (Newman); and great aunt to several nephews and nieces.
In keeping with her wishes, Gail was cremated and no service or memorial will be held. There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2022.
w/o Oaka Hare Williams, Jr.
Married: 05 Jan 1952 in Sparta, Alleghany County, North Carolina
Gail Ruth Harman Williams
17 Mar 1934 ~ 10 Feb 2022
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Gail Ruth Williams of 122 Crescent Street (Harmony Acres Lane), Bluefield, Va., passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at her home. Gail, as she was so affectionately known by her family and friends, was born on March 17, 1934 at her parent's home in Bluefield, VA to the late Mr. and Mrs. Blaine W. Harman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Oaka H. Williams, Jr.; twin brother Darrow Harman, and sisters Margaret Harman, and Helen Harman Kidwell; brother-in-law Robert W. Kidwell; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Moore and Barbara Kennett; and nephews and nieces Bobby, Barbara, Billie, and Craig (Kidwell).
She was a 1951 graduate of Graham High School where she excelled in basketball and band as the Graham High School Drum and Bugle Corp drum major. When the Corp participated in a parade in Miami, FL honoring veterans in the late 1940s, with General Douglas McArthur as Master of Ceremonies, of the twenty or so bands that participated, Gail was selected by a committee of organizers as the prettiest of all drum majors. She worked for Barnett Oil, Inc. in Bluefield Virginia in the 1960s, was a teacher's aide at Graham High School in the early 1970s, opened an art store in Bluefield, Virginia in the 1980s, worked for Belk at the Mercer Mall in the 1990s, and the town of Bluefield, Virginia as manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool. She was an avid artist and member of the Appalachian Artists Association. Many of her paintings are still displayed in local businesses and other establishments throughout the surrounding counties. Gail was more prominently recognized for her presence as co-manager and manager of Harmony Acres Swimming Pool for 60 years, and her guidance and affection for the youth of the surrounding area who attended the Pool in the summer months. She engaged parents in learning how to waterproof their infants in waters that would normally result in compromising and accidental health situations for a small child. As a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, she trained many adolescents and adults how to teach beginning and advanced beginner swimming lessons to thousands of children from 1953-1990 and 1994-2016, while instructing directly those children, adolescents, and young adults who wanted to improve their swimming skills in swimmer, advanced swimmer, junior lifeguard, and senior lifeguard classes. Each August for several years throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she produced a water show that included diving performances, synchronized swimming, performers of dance, music, and gymnastics, and clown acts for the Bluefield communities. Almost all of the participants in the water shows were teenagers, both male and female, who to this day revere Gail as instrumental in molding their character and treating them with loving guidance. She was an active and supportive citizen of the Town of Bluefield, Virginia. As a mother of two, she was actively involved in the PTA, was a Girl Scout mother, and supported all academic and athletic activities and endeavors in which her children participated. An avid G-Man, she enthusiastically supported all athletes and teams associated with Graham High School athletics. Gail was of the Christian Science faith from 1947 to the time of her passing.
She is survived by her sister, Joann Harman of Bluefield, VA; children Gary and wife Tammy of Bluefield, VA and Valerie of Bluefield, VA; brother-in-law Jack Williams and wife Hazel of Christiansburg, VA; and sister-in-laws Ann Boyd Newman of Pinehurst, N.C., and Irene Harman of North Tazewell, VA. She was a proud grandmother of Kellan Steckline of Great Bridge, VA; Lauren Overton of Great Bridge, VA; Travis Williams of Virginia Beach, VA; Britton Williams of Sanger, TX; Cameron Williams of Bloomfield, NJ; and Caitlin Williams of Atlanta, GA. She was great-grandmother to Aubrey and Berkley Steckline, Fisher and Sawyer Overton, and Tanner and Dominic Williams. She was aunt to nieces and nephews John, Brenda, and Steve (Kidwell); Brian, Barry, and Amanda (Harman); Debbie, Jackie, Teresa, Cindy, and Mark (Williams); Elizabeth and Leigh (Kennett); Johnathan and Paul (Newman); and great aunt to several nephews and nieces.
In keeping with her wishes, Gail was cremated and no service or memorial will be held. There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2022.
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