Gail J. Smith passed away peacefully at her home in Douglas, Georgia on January 21, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family.
Gail was born in Glen Cove, New York, and raised In Cincinnati, Ohio the only child of Preston and Elizabeth (Washburne) Jurgens. For 62 years she was the devoted wife of Thomas H, Smith, whom she met at the Amarillo AFB in Texas, She was the loving mother of their three children and a proud and devoted grandmother of their six grandchildren.
She earned a degree in English from DePauw University. After raising her children, Gail taught English at Coffee Junior High in Douglas, where she Inspired many students and enlarged her circle of friends. In 1989 she was honored to be named Teacher of the Year, Following her retirement from teaching in 1990, she combined her passion for domestic and International travel with the Joy she found in helping others as she worked as a consultant with BeeGee Travel.
Having lived in Douglas since 1983, Gail generously shared her time and skills with the community. She was a founding member and president of the Academic Boosters Club. She expressed her love for the arts and for learning by working with the Coffee Alliance for the Arts and the Satilla Regional Library Foundation. Gail served as secretary and long-term volunteer with the Coffee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, where she especially enjoyed working in the CRMC Gift Shop.
Gail will be fondly remembered for her grace, her kindness, her commitment to her family, and her dedication to education and service.
She is survived by her husband, Tom; her children, Alison (and her husband Alan) Monahan, Mike Smith, and Chris (and his wife Colleen) Smith; her grandchildren, Caitlin (and her husband Kevin), Kerry, Aidan, Natalie, Ethan, and Abby; and extended family members and dear friends who will all miss her profoundly,
The family honors her wish to forgo a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coffee Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, 1101 Ocilla Road, Douglas, GA 31633.
Sims Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.