Gail Cary

Jennifer Gail Cary, 65, a beloved 38-year resident of Coppell, TX, went to be with her Heavenly Father on November 22, 2024, after a 9-month battle with glioblastoma. She was born on July 6, 1959, in Dallas, TX.

Gail had a smile that radiated warmth and light. Her laughter was contagious, and she treated everyone with Christ-like love. To know Gail was to love her. She was a beautiful woman on the outside, and somehow, incredibly, even more beautiful on the inside. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and a cherished friend to many.

Gail grew up in Irving, TX, graduating from MacArthur High School in 1977. She was a Leader in the MacArthur Cardette drill team and a member of the Plymouth Park Baptist Church New Hope Singers youth choir. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art Education from Texas Tech University in 1981.

After graduation, Gail began her teaching career at Hereford High School, where she also served as the drill team sponsor. She then returned to Irving, teaching at both Bowie and Travis Junior High Schools. After starting a family, Gail chose to be a stay-at-home mom for the next 16 years. During this time, Gail became known for her creativity, organizational skills, and leadership as a room mom and 3-time PTO president, which eventually led to her being coaxed back to teaching in 2004. She spent the next 20 years at Coppell Middle School West, where her gifts as an art educator and her enthusiastic spirit impacted countless students. Before and after school, her classroom was often a gathering place for students because of the fun and inviting atmosphere that Mrs. Cary provided. Gail retired in the Spring of 2024, celebrating a total of 26 years as an educator.

Gail met her husband, Lance Cary, at Texas Tech, and they married on December 8, 1984. Gail was a loving, devoted wife. She was an encourager and best friend through their almost 40 years of marriage. Gail was an active, devoted mother to her daughter, Katy and son, Wynn. She had no higher priority than being the best mom possible. She was a tireless nurturer and teacher to her children. Among other things, she instilled in both an eagerness to laugh, a love for Jesus, and a zest for life. She was a consistent parent volunteer and chaperone on numerous school trips and church activities.

Over the last 9 years Gail’s great joy was being “Gigi” to her 4 grandchildren who had the opportunity to experience her unconditional love, her twinkling eyes, and her unending creativity.

Gail was preceded in death by her father Ernest Edward Taylor and her mother Joella Stephens Taylor.

She is survived by her husband, Lance Cary; her daughter Katy Richards and husband Paul of Plano, her son Wynn Cary and wife Madeline of Dallas; her grandchildren Cooper, Madisyn, and Ryland Richards; and Carter Cary; and her brother James Taylor and wife Nancy of Fort Worth, and their family.

Services for Gail will include a visitation on Thursday, December 5, from 5-8pm, at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019. Her funeral will be held on Friday, December 6, at 10am, in Faith Chapel at Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 W. Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75093, with a reception to follow.