Gail Wilson

Dearest family and friends, I am deeply saddened to announce that my loving mother, GAIL L. WILSON [ADAMS], 78, of Evanston, Illinois, formerly of Bluefield, Virginia passed away peacefully Sunday evening, December 28, 2025 at the Endeavor Hospital, Evanston, Illinois after battling a lengthy illness.

GAIL, was born September 18, 1948 in Bluefield, Virginia to the late Jackie L. Bratton and the late Frederick J. Adams.  GAIL was raised by her maternal grandparents, the late George G. Bratton (Jack) and the late Ruth M. Bratton (Stacy).  She attended the once-segregated Tazewell County High School and was a cheerleader and choir member and then graduated from the first integrated class of Graham High School in Bluefield in 1966.  GAIL went on to enroll in and graduate from Knoxville College with a B.A. in English and Education.  While there, she resumed cheerleading and singing in the choir while also being a member of the Ivy Club, the English Club, the Drama Club and joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

After graduation, GAIL embarked on a teaching position at Iaeger Elementary School.  While working there in her third year, she met the newly hired DARRYL L. WILSON, who would become the love of her life and their friendship lead to DARRYL becoming her husband in 1976.  After marriage, the two moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to begin a new life together.

While in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, GAIL taught at an experimental alternative school for at-risk students.  Due to funding cuts, the school closed and GAIL began a second career as a Manager for Taco Bell for two years and then moved to a management position with K-Mart.  When GAIL’S husband, DARRYL, entered into law school at the University of Wisconsin, the couple moved to Madison, Wisconsin where GAIL secured a job as a sales rep with AT&T.  GAIL would advance to an administrative assistant and then a technical support representative with the company.  GAIL was working towards her MBA at the University of Wisconsin until DARRYL graduated from law school and the couple then moved to Evanston, Illinois.

GAIL continued working in technical support with AT&T until emerging health issues forced her into an early retirement with the company in 2004.  From there, she created Wilson’s Genealogy Service in 2004 and Wilson’s Wedding Planning Services in 2008 until health issues forced her into retirement again in 2016.  GAIL participated in a lot of volunteer activities with the Children’s Museum in Illinois and the Jazz Institute of Chicago. 

GAIL was preceded in death by her husband of over 45 years, the late Darryl L. Wilson; maternal great-grandmother Naomi Austin; her paternal grandparents Brady & Emmaline Adams, her maternal grandparents George (Jack) and Ruth (Stacy) Bratton; her mother Jackie L. Bratton and father Frederick J. Adams; brothers Frederick B. Adams & Brady Adams; sisters Candace Adams & Stephanie Adams; brother-in-law Ronnie Churchwell and sisters-in-law Peggy Churchwell & Gail Churchwell; uncles Rexford H. Bratton, Gilbert Bratton, Daniel Adams, Winston Adams, William Adams, Charles Adams, & James Adams; aunts Sylvia Preston, Alice Lias, Beatrice Williamson and Betty B. Adams.

Those left to cherish GAIL’S memories are her son, Jeffrey M. Adams; sisters Marion Smith (Jeffrey), Diane Smith (Barry), and Kim Adams; brothers-in-law Rev. Arnell Churchwell of Bluefield & Tim and Patti Wilson of Arlington, Massachusetts;  aunts Betty Adams of Ohio, Harriett Adams of Maryland, Gaynell Adams of Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and God-daughters Sherri Pridgen and Traci Pridgen of Atlanta.

A special thanks goes out to extraordinary friends, Mrs. Betty Harris and Mrs. Zenobia Hurt who called GAIL everyday from the beginning of her illness until her very last days on earth. 

Home going services will be held Friday, January 16, 2026 at Second Baptist Church of Evanston, 1717 Benson Street, Evanston, IL with the Rev./Dr. Michael CR Nabors officiating.  The viewing will held at 10AM  and the service following at 11AM.  Funeral arrangements have been made by Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., (847) 869-3172.  Interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Lawns in Northbrook, Illinois.  In order to watch this service online, the link for the livestream is www.secondbaptistevanston.org/live

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