Gail Marie Ellison Thigpen

Gail was born at Vanetta, WV in Nicholas County, on June 6, 1934, to the late Carl Edward and Olive Kitchen Roop. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sissonville.

Her legacy is one of servitude, to her family, friends, church, and every stranger who needed help. Throughout her life she opened her heart and home to not only her children but dozens of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sisters, squirrels, quails and critters. She dedicated her life to caring for others through her distinguished career as a Registered Nurse. Throughout her years of service, she served as Head Nurse of the Newborn Nursery, where she cared for hundreds of newborns and their families with love and compassion. She later continued her nursing career in the NICU, where she served until her retirement. After retirement she worked as an in-home healthcare nurse. However, her favorite job, outside of being a mother and grandmother, was during her years spent working at her beloved Dairy Winkle alongside her sons. She worked until the age of 89 when it closed. Her last years were spent raising birds, baking, and taking care of her beloved Welsh Corgi, Beau.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Ralph Ellison and Lee Thigpen; sisters, June Hardesty, Jo Ann Fraley, Penny Roop and Claudette Arlene Roop; brothers, Clyde and Dick Roop.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kay (Bill) Potter of Martinsburg, WV; sons, Keith (Deena) Ellison and Kerry “Paco” (Jennie) Ellison all of Charleston; sister, Kitty Irene Waugh of Chimney Corner; 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday August 22, 2026, at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden with Bishops Nathan Hale and Shawn Malhotra officiating. The Committal Service will follow at 2:30 PM at Restlawn Memory Gardens, Victor, WV.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Friday August 21, 2026, at the funeral home.

The online guest book can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.