Gail Cecil-Lawson Churchwell

Mrs. Gail Michele Cecil-Lawson Churchwell age 81, a resident of Bluefield, West Virginia; formerly of Gary, West Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in Princeton Community Hospital, Princeton, West Virginia.  She was born in Washington, DC on the 12th day of March, 1943 and the daughter of Chester and Eva Foye Cecil.  Gail was a 1961 graduate of Kimball High School and continued her education at Bluefield State College, where she received her Secretarial Science Certificate.  She had held several positions in the work force and was last employed as a Senior Companion Coordinator through the Council of Southern Mountains for both McDowell and Mercer Counties.  She was a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Crystal, West Virginia.  Gail was the "heart of  her family."  Her love and laughter was a magnet that drew the neighborhood children to their home.  She enjoyed cooking, shopping and traveling.  Also, she looked forward to attending the Gary District High School Reunions.  In addition to her parents, Chester and Eva, she was preceded in death by her first husband and the Father of her daughters, Robert L. Lawson and her two brothers, Ronald Briggs and Sonny Briggs.  Gail was the last surviving member of her original family.  She leaves many cherished memories to her husband, the Reverend Arnel Churchwell of the home and her devoted daughters, Michelle D. Lawson of Princeton and Tamara and her husband, Sheronde Porter of Wake Forest, North Carolina; her seven grandchildren:  Jamel, Jordan, Kennedy, Ian, De'Najah, Azande and Jayla; one aunt, Verona Booker; four  nephews:  Walter Lawson, Michael Lawson, James Lawson and Deon Owensby and three nieces, Marsha Lawson, Gail Lawson and Gail Smith; her two sisters-in-love, Hilda Banks-Anthony and Regina Banks-Harris; her godchildren:  Morgan Keen, Brandon Scott Thomas and Kyra Thomas.  Gail loved her chosen family:  Robin Richardson Harris, Edmund Louis Richardson, David Richardson and Richard Richardson.  She adored her bonus children:  Yvonne Johnson, Frankie Swanson, Renee Swanson-Hamilton and Tiffany Reeves.  Gail's long time, special friends:  Lyvonne Dyer, Marvelene Simon, Vivian Maxwell, Dolores Johnson, Angelene Hairston, Vickie Miller and Fannie Tolliver.  A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Gail Cecil Lawson Churchwell will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Wilcoe, West Virginia with Pastor David Cooper officiating, Pastor George Masterson presiding and Pastor Dane Moore assisting.  Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery 6605 New Hope Road in Bluewell, West Virginia.  Family and friends will serve as both pallbearers and flower bearers.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM.  Services entrusted to  Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch, West Virginia.