Deborah Gail Koester

Born October 14, 1950, in Walstonburg, NC, Gail was the daughter of the late Lt. O.L. "Buck" McCullen, a respected law enforcement officer who served with the N.C. Highway Patrol for over three decades and later as Sheriff of Sampson County, and the late Katie Earl McCullen Hines, who had a long career with Wachovia Bank and was known for her beautiful Amaryllis gardens. She inherited her mother's love of nature and her father's dedication to serving others.

Gail pursued her passion for medicine at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she completed her nursing education. She went on to become an accomplished anesthesiologist in Lynchburg, Virginia, dedicating her career to patient care.

Beyond her professional achievements, Gail was known for her deep love of animals, particularly cats, and found joy in music and writing. Her compassionate nature extended not only to her patients but to all living creatures.

Gail was preceded in death by her son, Michael Ginn and she is survived by her step-mother, Carol McCullen; brother, William Joseph McCullen; her daughter, Paige Massie Getz and son-in-law Jared Getz; and her grandchildren, Everett Getz and Madeline Getz.

In honor of Gail's lifelong dedication to animal welfare, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the ASPCA.

https://www.aspca.org/