Mrs. Gail Dennis Bales Obituary

Gail Dennis Bales, 64, of Herndon, VA died suddenly but peacefully in her home on Saturday, 28 September following a courageous struggle with lung cancer. Gail was born Dec 2, 1948 and raised in Albany, GA where her family ran a small toy and hobby business. She and her family were charter members of the Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church. It was in Albany GA that she met, and in 1968, married a close friend from her childhood, then a US Naval Officer. She traveled with her husband to various military assignments in the US, Europe, and Asia. During this period she was actively involved in voluntary organizations supporting US military families such as the Navy Wifeline Association and the American Red Cross. After she and Alvin relocated permanently to Northern Virginia in 1977, Gail obtained a degree in Art and Advertising Design from Northern Virginia Community College. She studied and later taught calligraphy at several community centers and colleges. Developing an intense interest in computer graphics, she started and operated a small business producing graphics for several major software companies. She later served as the Marketing Director and Event Manager for three successful IT startup companies. Gail always exuded a positive, joyful, and exuberant spirit. She loved her husband, family and friends deeply and unequivocally. She basked and thrived in their returned love. She always felt that the hardest or most distressed of hearts could be eased or softened by a simple act of grace, a smile, a kind word, a compliment, or an expression of encouragement or appreciation. Hers was also an adventurous spirit, whether parasailing, scuba diving, or riding elephants through the jungles of Thailand. She loved life's simple pleasures; walking on a remote beach; drinking hot chocolate by a fire; country drives, walks, shopping, and antiquing in the mountains of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. She shared with her mother a love of gardening, flowers, and caring for God's simpler creatures. Gail is preceded in death by her father Benjamin Franklin Dennis, Jr., her mother Rebecca Collins Dennis, and a sister Rebecca Kay Dennis; all of Albany GA. She is survived by her adoring husband of nearly 45 years Alvin S. Bales Jr. of Herndon, VA; two Aunts, Evelyn Bruner of Thomasville, GA and Virginia Willis of Colomokee, GA and her truly beloved cousins. A visitation for her friends and relatives in the Washington DC area was conducted on the evening of 3 October The family will receive friends at the Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home, 1503 Daws0n R0ad from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, 6 October to celebrate the joy of her life. A Christian funeral will be conducted at 2: 00 PM, Monday 7 October at the Mable Haley Chapel, Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church. Interment will follow immediately at the Crown Hill Cemetery. Services will be conducted by the Reverend William E. Collins. Pallbearers are: Wendy Willis, Charles Williams, Homer Willis, James Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Babb, and Bettis Riles. Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, the Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church, 2200 Dawson Rd., Albany, GA 31707, or, to a charity of your choice.

Mrs. Gail Dennis Bales Obituary

December 2, 1948 - September 28, 2013