Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there.  I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

So do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

(Author Unknown)

The world lost a beautiful and kind soul on November 10, 2024, which was the day Gail lost a hard-fought battle with complications from Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare, little known, brain disorder.

Remembered for her beautiful smile, sweet disposition, gentle laugh and lilting voice, she is and will be missed by many.

Gail graduated from Warren County high school at the age of 17 in 1959 after which she attended business school.  She would accomplish many things during her life, not the least of which was raising her four surviving children.  Joseph (Jody or Joe) H.  Racey Jr. (wife Jeannine Racey), Diana (Dee Dee) Lynn Racey, Angela Racey Sherwood, Jonathan (Jon Jon) Emory Racey.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Joseph H. Racey III, Justin Warren Racey, Amber Lynn Siegel, Jay Jayden Racey, Victoria Ray Sherwood, Nicholas Dean Sherwood, Alexandria Noelle Graham and Brayden Sisley, as well as 2 great grandchildren, Bradley Siegel and Lilah Lynn Spink.  Also surviving are her dear, beloved sisters, Betty and Patricia Clifton.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Emory and Frances Clifton, sister, Nancy Harrison, her first husband, Joseph Howard Racey Sr., second husband Charles Wilson Pomeroy, and third husband Robert Allen Guy.

When Gail was born, her father had his heart set on a boy, and so he called her ‘Boy’, for the first years of her young life. However, there was nothing boyish about her, winning places in several beauty pageants including becoming Miss Warren County in 1960.

Gail would later study with Moody Bible institute and attend school at Delta Community College, graduating with an associate’s degree for nursing in 1984.  She went on to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  After retiring from nursing, she spent time volunteering at various hospitals.

She was known for her deep devotion to God, her love of butterflies, playing puzzle games with her sisters, her phenomenal cooking skills, and a great fondness for Elvis.  One of the questions asked of her during a pageant was her feelings on Elvis Presley, who was quite a controversial character at the time.  Her answer was an enthusiastic, “Oh, I just think he’s wonderful!”  (She, of course, won the title in that pageant.)

A celebration of life will be held in the Spring which was Gail’s favorite season.  Details regarding the celebration will be forthcoming in the future via the newspaper and Gail’s memorial page with Omps Funeral Home.

Gail’s family would like to thank Blue Ridge Hospice, their nurses, CNA’s, pastor, music therapists, social worker and volunteers for attending to Gail in her home with the utmost compassion and care.