(Elna) Gail Crumpler Pridgen, gently and peacefully joined her husband and soul-mate, Merle Pridgen in heaven on 5 February 2014. By her side was her loving son, Lee Pridgen—her travelling companion throughout the journey of her lengthy illness. Gail was also reunited with her parents: Isom and Myrtle Harrell Crumpler, her brother Willis Crumpler, and her best buddy Ubu!

Gail was the daughter of a farmer and prolific builder, she began work on the farm as soon as she was able to step across a row of tobacco. As she started school, another responsibility was added, the care of her bedridden grandmother—a duty she faithfully performed through the end of high school. Gail and Merle were married at an early age, and it was nearly ten years before they were blessed with, the birth a child.

Gail and her mother were pioneers in early childcare and development, establishing “Kiddyland” the first licensed daycare center in the state. Gail was also an integral part of three other ventures with her loving husband.

She had two hobbies: her husband and her son—but she was also active in her church and was a dutiful volunteer in early childhood education, Montessori, Cub Scouts, and with Stepping Stone Manor.

Merle and Gail were inseparable. Their marriage continued for 49 years, she stood steadfast with her loving and devoted husband through an extended illness and two bouts of cancer, which finally took him away in 2003—leaving a void that perhaps triggered her illness.

Although the final years of her life were difficult and painful, she adapted and continued to make friends—even in the thick of things, her beautiful brown eyes spoke volumes to those who listened.

On behalf of my mom and I, please know that these ten years would have been insurmountable without the prayers, thoughts, notes, emotional and hands-on support of the most wonderful circle of old and new friends and family, alike—it is this love, combined with the pure and unrelenting formative love of my mother—that kept us going! ~lp

Services will be casual, visitation begins at 2p on the afternoon of Sunday,16 February 2014—followed by a celebration of life at 3p, at Wrightsboro United Methodist Church, located at 3300 N Kerr Ave in Wilmington NC.