Gail Coates Brown, affectionately known as “Granny Gail” or “GG,” our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went to be with her Maker on Sunday, January 4, 2026. She passed peacefully in her sleep following a week spent celebrating the holidays with her children. She was 86 years old.
Gail was born on August 20, 1939, in Wilmington, North Carolina, and attended Topsail High School.
Visitation will be held on Saturday January 10, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
Gail was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Paul Wayne Brown; her parents, Le Roy and Maud Belle Coates; her sister, Barbara Turner; her brother-in-law, Billy Turner of Hampstead, North Carolina; and her son-in-law, Trent Smith.
She is survived by her four children: son, Paul Wayne Brown Jr. of San Angelo; daughter, Cindy Louise Smith; son, Carl Lee Brown of Washougal, Washington; and daughter, Aneita Jayne Brown and her husband, Steve Alsaker. She is also survived by close family friends Bill Barrett and his wife, Cindy and family of Denver, Colorado, and Greg and Bonnie Holder and family of Eden, Texas.
Gail leaves behind numerous grandchildren: Christy Ross and her husband, Cecil; Windi Hughes and her husband, Greg; Coulter Brown and his wife, London; Kaylee Gordon and her husband, Anthony Ottilo; Starlee Brown; Brandon Beavers; Cole Brown; Stephen Alsaker, Marissa Alsaker and Seth Alsaker. She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Chasity Ross, Chandra Ross, Whitnie Hughes and her fiancé, Marcus Draper, Beaux Davidson and wife Courtney, Truett Davidson, Samuel Gordon, Kathleen Ottilo, Oliver Brown, Michael Beavers, Lyanna Beavers, and Chloe Beavers; as well as one great-great-granddaughter, Sarah Grace Davidson, and a great-great-granddaughter, M’Kynlee Draper, expected to arrive in May.
GG will be deeply missed by her family and friends for her wry sense of humor, friendly and outgoing nature, strong opinions on nearly every subject, and her immaculately clean home. She loved Jesus, NASCAR, and the Texas Rangers. Gail took great interest in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was never shy about sharing her pride with a Facebook comment celebrating their achievements.
Mom, GG, Aunt Gail—you will be greatly missed, but we take comfort in knowing that Dad/Granddaddy is waiting with open arms. We love you.
The pallbearers will be Brandon Beavers, Steve Alsaker, Beaux Davidson, Truett Davidson, Collin Gossett, and Cecil A. Ross, with Cole Brown, Greg Hughes and Bill Barrett serving as honorary pallbearers.
