Gail Patterson Kendrick

Gail was born September 11, 1939, in Birmingham, Alabama to John Rhuel and Ruby Viola McClain. She had one brother and 5 sisters. Gail attended Fairfield high school in Birmingham and studied Sociology at Birmingham Southern College.

She married Robert Kendrick Jr in 1965 and began an eventful married life that included lovingly nurturing a family that included a daughter Katherine and son Robert III. Her interests were many and varied, her successes numerous.

Gail greatly enjoyed music and was a successful vocalist including soloist performance until she lost much of her hearing due to a genetic disorder in her early thirties. She had to pause this activity until, in her sixty’s, technology evolved to where she could have hearing aids that allowed her to hear correct pitch while singing. She resumed this love and sang in church choir until the advent of her illness. She enjoyed numerous cantatas and the Messiah.

She was a leader in her community in Junior Women’s, PTO president, Girl Scouts, and the YWCA where she served as president of the board of directors. Gail was active in supporting local politics and was a senior leader in her social sorority Zeta Tau Alpha. She partnered with a fellow ZTA member to finance and build a sorority house for the local chapter at Illinois State University, while serving as its financial advisor. Gail also served in a senior leadership role supervising U.S. and Canadian chapters.

Her entrepreneurial spirit was rewarded when she created her own business by building several apartment buildings and acquiring additional apartments, homes and condominiums. She found continued success, being well liked by her tenants and highly regarded by her competitors.

Prior to retiring with her husband Bob, she shepherded him though a serious bout with cancer with her resolute determination and help from God and Mayo Clinic. They then moved to Woodland Park, Colorado where Gail lived until moving to memory care in Colorado Springs.

Gail is preceded in this life by her parents Rhuel and Ruby McClain.

Gail is survived by her loving husband Robert; her daughter, Katherine Kendrick, Son Robert (Delana)Kendrick III; and her grandson, Kai Joshua Kendrick; as well as many nieces, nephews and close friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, November 27th at 10:00 am with a reception immediately following at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N Cascade Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Gail will rest peacefully at Pikes Peak National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.