Gail Rae Quarles

She was preceded in death by her parents, Drs. Sam and Loraine Roberts of DeRidder, Louisiana, and is survived by her brother, Ron Roberts (Martha Lou) and her sister, DiAnne Kindler (Tim), all of DeRidder, LA.

She is also survived by her two children, John Andrew Quarles (Susan) of Northport, Alabama, and Lillian Loraine Turman (Craig) of Nolensville, Tennessee.

Gail’s life was deeply enriched by her grandchildren, each of whom brought her great pride and joy. Surviving grandchildren are Katelyn JoAnna Swift (Billy), Catherine Loraine Quarles, Andrea Gail Quarles, Audrey Michele Kirkpatrick (Spencer), Margaret Mae Turman, Miles Dawson Turman, and Jordan Alexander Bice (Lynsey). Surviving great-grandchildren are Noah Dawson Roberts, Jonathan Andrew Roberts, Raiden Leone Brown, Wren Elizabeth Swift, Samuel “Casey” Kirkpatrick, and Ella Jayleigh Bice.

Gail graduated from DeRidder High School in 1961, earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1964, and later received her Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Alabama.

Her early career took her to Huntsville, Alabama, where she worked as a computer programmer for Boeing. There, she was part of the engineering team that computed the orbit for the first Apollo mission to the moon. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, John D. Quarles, Jr., whom she married on February 22, 1969.

In 1974, Gail and John made their home in Northport, Alabama, where they raised their family. Gail went on to teach English at Tuscaloosa County High School, where she was a beloved and respected educator, remembered for her deep care for her students and her passion for literature.

She was an active member of Northport Baptist Church and a charter member of the University of Alabama’s Xplorations in Lifelong Learning program (now OLLI), where she also served as President. Gail had a love for learning, a green thumb for gardening, a joy for reading, and a generous heart that found its greatest joy in time spent with family and dear friends.

A visitation will be held at the original chapel at Northport Baptist Church, located at 1004 Main Avenue, Northport, AL 35476, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Parking is available off 10th Street and to the rear of the church. A graveside service will follow at Williamson Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Craig Turman, Jordan Bice, Billy Swift, Spencer Kirkpatrick, Alex Curlings, and Bill Henry. Honorary pallbearers are Ron Roberts, Tim Kindler, Jerry Cooper, and Mike Stilson.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at https://olli.ua.edu/give-to-olli/, or to the charity of one’s choosing.