Gail McIlroy

Gail was born April 14, 1945, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, to Claude Raymond and Mary Louise Newman Cantrell who both preceded her in death. Gail married Sam McIlroy at Northridge Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas, and the two of them just celebrated their fifty-eighth wedding anniversary on November 19, 2023.

Gail graduated from Mesquite High School and McBride’s Business College. She also obtained a degree from Vernon College. While her children were at home, she was a loving stay-at-home mom for most of those years. She became a medical transcriptionist and followed that by becoming a Medical Records Director until her retirement.

Gail had many hobbies. Some of those included painting, cross-stitching, gardening, and sewing.

Gail was very dedicated to her church, being an active member of First Baptist Church in Iowa Park for over thirty-five years. She spent many years teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Gail is survived by her husband Sam; her daughter Angelia McIlroy Thames, her husband Marc, and their children Addison, Hanna Thames Vargas and husband Matthew, and Zoe; her son Don McIlroy, his wife Lychelle, and their children Conner, Samuel, and Cassidy; and her son Joel McIlroy and his wife Lindsay. Gail is survived by her siblings Bob Cantrell and his wife Vicky, Howard Cantrell and his wife Donna, and Kaye Cantrell Surley and her husband Ron. Gail is also survived by an aunt and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Gail will be at Dutton Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 19, from 5 - 7 p.m. Funeral services for Gail will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, at First Baptist Church in Iowa Park with Josh Fields and Derrell Monday officiating. If you would like to attend the graveside service, the family welcomes you to follow them to Vernon, Texas, where Gail will be laid to rest at Eastview Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Anthony Cantrell, Conner McIlroy, Paul Sam McIlroy, Samuel McIlroy, Scott McIlroy, and Matthew Vargas. Honorary pallbearers are Jerome Cantrell, Claude Ray McIlroy, and Justin Waggoner.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Gail, the family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice.

Gail loved many, and she will be missed by all.