Gail Gilmore

Funeral services celebrating the life of Mrs. Gail Gilmore will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 10:45 a.m., at First Christian Church, with the Reverends Dr. Tom Sikes and Dr. Mark Benson officiating. Interment rites will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Gail passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at The Preserve in Meridian, where she had resided for the past two years. She was 95 years old and will be remembered as a true Southern lady who deeply loved her family, her many dear friends, and her beloved church community.

Born in Meridian in 1930, Gail grew up at First Christian Church, where her father, Dr. David Griffin, served as pastor for 35 years. She met the love of her life, Walter M. "Sonny" Gilmore, while attending Meridian High School. After several years of courtship and Sonny's return from World War II, they married and moved to New Orleans, where Sonny attended dental school and Gail worked as a librarian at Loyola University and Tulane Medical School.

After returning to Meridian, Gail became involved in numerous civic and cultural organizations, including the Junior Auxiliary (serving as President), the Mississippi Dental Association Auxiliary, the Meridian Little Theatre Board, the Meridian Symphony, and the Weems Community Advisory Board for Lauderdale County.

Proud of her heritage, Gail was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames Society. In 1976, she was honored as Lifetime Dusty Mom by the young ladies of the Dusty Club in recognition of her support for their local social service projects.

Those who knew Gail best will remember her gracious hospitality, quick wit, and love of sharing laughter and conversation - often over a glass of Chardonnay.

After 62 years of marriage, Gail was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend, Dr. Walter "Sonny" Gilmore, her grandson, John Bartley Boykin, her parents, Dr. David and Marjorie Potter Griffin, and her siblings, Dr. David Griffin and Nancy Davis.

Gail is survived by her son, Dr. David Gilmore (Mary); daughter, Leslie Ann Purvis (Jay); grandchildren, Marshall Gilmore (Mary), Mary Katherine DeBardeleben (Alex), LauraBeth Gilmore, and Brett Boykin (Katie); great-grandchildren, William and Harris Gilmore, Andy and Kate DeBardeleben, and Chapman, Hampton, and Bartley Boykin; nieces, Susan Bowman, Gail Smith, and Julie Chase; and numerous other family members and friends.

Her life was enriched by the loving care of Symone Moore, her dear friend and companion over the past three years, as well as the compassionate support of Kim and the staff at The Preserve, Susan with Accent Care, and caregivers Shirley, Clorice, and Faith.

Pallbearers will be John Compton, Dr. Bill Woods, Mark Wiggins, Tony McDaniel, Greg Heblon, Josh Bennett, and B.B. Archer. Honorary pallbearers are the Elders of First Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Meridian or to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.robertbarhamffh.com.