Brenda "Gail" Sides

Gail Sides passed away at the age of 68 on March 20th, 2025. She lived her life as a Christian lady in the Lord's church, and was a member of the East Oakland Ave, Central Church of Christ in Johnson City, TN. She was the wife of Steve Sides for almost 49 years, a mother to DeAnna Sides (later DeAnna Gibson), a grandmother to three grandsons, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Micah Gibson, and a friend to so many church members across the southeast, but especially at the Central Family of Christians. She was a stay-at-home mom, as she considered this her most important gift, role, and responsibility, and we decided together before we had children, this was the way we wanted to raise our family. As most young couples, we started with almost nothing; but, we had each other, our daughter, and our church family, and that was all we needed.

Brenda "Gail" Roark was born to the late Vaughn and Jean Roark in Pensacola, FL on June 28th 1956, and had one sister, Debbie Jones. They later moved to Jackson, AL for Vaughn's work where she attended both Jackson High School, and later, Jackson Academy where Steve & Gail both graduated from high school and where Gail was awarded the distinction of Miss Jackson Academy. Later, Steve & Gail began dating for about 6 months and decided to get married. We were 19 years old when we married, which at the time was not old enough to get a loan to buy a house, so my dad had to co-sign on the loan - and boy were we thankful to have that home. It cost us $23,800 total. We moved many times in our lifetime, and lived in every state in the southeast, finally settling in our home in Kingsport, TN. Gail always managed to "nest" quickly to make our new house and location, our new home - because she was our home. She managed our household money as well, and was the general contractor for our home on many occasions when we would remodel. She loved to decorate our home and share it with our family and friends. Another caring, important thing she enjoyed doing was writing cards to those that were sick or shut-in, and those who had lost loved ones for a more personal encouragement. She always appropriated funds for giving to the church to spread the word, to help others, for preacher scholarships at Faulkner University & Heritage University, and she also contributed consistently to help the children at Potters Children's Orphan Home in Kentucky, and St. Judes Children's Hospital in Memphis. Another one of her favorite activities was preparing luncheons with Randi Kelly, inviting a small group of Christian ladies over at a time to get to know them better to create a deeper, more meaningful relationship among Christian ladies.

Finally, her pride and joy was DeAnna. It has always been in Gail's heart for her to be not only happy, but to find, have, and to hold that joy in her heart and throughout her life. Certainly, DeAnna's 3 boys have significantly captured that joy in all our hearts, and especially DeAnna's. Gail loved to spend individual time with DeAnna, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Micah so she could spoil them with the things they wanted and wanted to do, and encourage them in the things they wanted to be, or just simply have alone time with them to talk and watch them - for they all were a shining light to her eyes and in her heart. And that certainly shows in their caring nature, their independence, and their drive to be their best.

I was very blessed to have Gail as my wife, soul-mate, and best friend for almost a half a century, but more importantly, as a Christian partner to take me by the hand and lead me to the pathway of our Lord. I know she has entered the gate to paradise that leads to Heaven. I've always told her, that whichever one of us gets there first, hold the door open and vouch for the other so we can be together once again. I love you Gail Sides...with my whole heart - forever and always,

Steve