Gailya S. Stephenson, 79, peacefully left this world on November 23, 2021. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 49 years, Charlie B. Stephenson, and survived by her four children: Charlie Benjamin Stephenson, Jr., Susan Stephenson Canon (Eddie), Rex Mckenney Poss (Kim), Rina Poss Wagner (Richard) and was predeceased by daughter Rhetta Poss McPherson (Keith).
She is survived by 10 grandchildren: George Lewis, Jamie Stephenson, Ryan Poss, Allison Stephenson, Justin Poss (Cassidy), Katie Detchemendy (Abe), Dustin Canon (Holly), Austin Wagner, Bradley Stephenson, and Ashley Wagner and five great-grandchildren: Sophia Tate, Ethan Westerman, Lawson Detchemendy, Canon Detchemendy, and Jaycee Poss and by her siblings: Audrey Callahan (Charlie) and Buster Summerour (Cindy) and a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends.
Also, preceding her in death are her parents, Frank Summerour and Irville McGarity Summerour, her husband of 11 years; George Morgan Poss and two sisters, Marilyn Dickerson (Kenny) and Diane Summerour.
The Celebration of Gailya’s Life is celebrated at H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30068 on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 2:00pm (visitation from 1pm- 2pm) with Dr. Hugh Johnson officiating. Interment will be held at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Road, Canton, Georgia, 30114.
Gailya S. Stephenson was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 20, 1942, where she grew up and graduated from O’Keefe High School. Following high school, she graduated from Massey Business College in Atlanta and ultimately retired from a 30-year career as a Staff Communications Specialist with IBM. After retirement she enjoyed event planning with MAPICS.
Gailya was a member of Sandy Plains Baptist Church. One of her favorite pastimes was singing with a group of friends, known as The Entertainers, where they had the opportunity to spread joy to others. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5290, Conyers, Georgia, then transferred to Post 2681, Marietta, Georgia, where she was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary and chaired cancer aid and research and was known for her work with Buddy Poppy fund drives to benefit veterans and their families and visitations to the Atlanta VA Medical Center. She served in several Auxiliary roles throughout the years such as: Secretary, Jr. Vice Treasurer, Treasurer, Trustee, Council of Administration, Auxiliary President, and District President.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Aid and Research through the National VFW Auxiliary, 406 West 34th Street, 10th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64111, in memory of Gailya Stephenson.
PALLBEARERS
Ryan Poss
Dustin Canon
Austin Wagner
Bradley Stephenson
Stacy Dobbins
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