of Hughes, AR
March 21, 1938 - September 26, 2020
Gail Evans Thomson of Greasy Corner, Arkansas was born March 21, 1938 in Jonesboro, Arkansas to Willis Clarke and Jane Altman Evans. She entered into rest Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the age of 82.
Gail established Gayfields Welsh Ponies in the 1960's and bred and registered hundreds of ponies that found homes with children and adults throughout the United States. Her ponies were National Show Champions many times over. She served as President of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America for many years and served decades on its Board of Directors. Gail vitalized show competitions for Welsh Ponies in the United States by designing and establishing the Society's high-point system for year-end awards and lifetime achievement awards. In 2009, Gail became only the second American citizen honored by an invitation to judge breeding classes at the Royal Welsh Show in Wales, the home of Welsh Ponies, which she did.
Gail worked for the United States Postal Service starting in her twenties as a ''temporary part-time substitute clerk'' working sixty hours a week in Hughes, and progressed to serve as Postmaster at Post Offices in Chatfield, West Memphis, and for many years in Hughes, where she was Postmaster until retirement. Gail's spiritual home has been the Hughes United Methodist Church for more than sixty years.
She is preceded in death by her first husband Joseph Dewitt Morris, her sister Janet Evans Holdcraft, and her parents Willis and Jane Evans.
She is survived by her beloved husband Arthur Duncan Thomson of Greasy Corner, Arkansas, by her daughters Dyke Morris Arboneaux (Lloyd Joseph Arboneaux) of Nashville, Tennessee and Janet Morris McGehee (Jamie McGehee) of Memphis, Tennessee, by her six grandchildren Jack Evans Montgomery (Ellie Hastings) of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Robert Emmett Montgomery IV (Abigail Montgomery) of Livingston, Montana, Suzanne Dunbar McGehee and Marion Morris McGehee of Memphis, Tennessee, Madalyn Grace Arboneaux of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Olivia Rose Arboneaux of Nashville, Tennessee, by her great-grandson Robert Emmett Montgomery V, by her many other relatives, by dear friends she considered part of her family despite a lack of blood ties, including most especially Clay Clayton, the son she never had, who helped show and manage her many pony ''children'' at Gayfields Welsh Ponies, which was her life's work.
A graveside service will occur Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 10:30am at Crittenden Memorial Park, 2206 US-64, Marion, Arkansas. Gail has a new great-grandchild on the way and family members with pre-existing conditions that could make Covid-19 dangerous for them, so the family requests that all who decide to gather with them wear masks and do their best to maintain safe distance from each other to keep all those she loved safe.
Memorials can be sent to:
Hughes United Methodist Church
P. O. Box 326
Hughes, AR 72348
or to:
Welsh Pony and Cob Foundation
720 Green Street
Stephens City, VA 22655
- Please Note -
Roller-Citizens Funeral Home will be following guidelines issued by the Arkansas Department of Health and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Social distancing of at least six feet must be practiced and all funeral attendees must provide and wear their own masks.
Sign Guestbook
26 Condolence(s)
Leslie Carle Friedrich
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Dear Janet and Dyke,
I was sorry to recently learn about Gail's passing. For some reason I always think of her as being "forever young" because most of my brief interactions with her were during college in the 70s and early 80s when living in Memphis and visiting during holidays. My most vivid memory is her telling me about her participation in Wheel of Fortune when they were filming in Memphis with "When you're at home, you can guess the answer. When you're on camera, it's not always your turn." I am thankful for your mom's life, because if it weren't for her, I would not have been able to have you both as friends. May Gail rest in peace and rise in glory!
Peggy Parks Roach
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Arthur, Dyke, Janet and all the family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. Also my apologies for condolences these 3 months later; I heard just today on New Year's Eve 2020. What a sweetie Gail was to all who knew her. We were friends many moons ago in Jonesboro, AR's South Elementary School. A few wks. ago I moved from the banks of Lake Cumberland, Somerset, KY, to Brandon, MS (a Jackson suburb) to be near my son. As I was packing I came upon a fun old photo of Gail playing softball there at South School. Those old photos have all been sent to be digitalized for safe keeping. If I get them back while still on this earth, I'll try to remember to figure out how to send that one on to you. Love is extended & prayers are going up for you as you go about life without your precious wife & mother. RIP, Gail, until we meet again. ooo's p
Janet McGehee and Dyke Arboneaux
Friday, October 30, 2020
Thanks for all the kind words and happy memories you've shared here. Mother enjoyed every minute she spent in your company and treasured your regard. Best to you all. Sincerely, Janet and Dyke.
Cameron and Paula VanBuskirk
Friday, October 2, 2020
Gail was a delight to know. She always had a story about her family, ponies and adventures. She was a wealth of knowledge. She was a great listener and had a sense of humor. She never let a conversation grow dull. We had great times at the pony shows and our visits. Most of all she introduced us to a world beyond. She represented so much more than her knowledge of ponies and bloodlines. She created a bridge that between Wales and the United States. She knew people can be so different in many ways, but be so alike in more. She was a half glass full kind of gal. She was always up to a challenge and was one hell of a strategic planner. She will be well missed, but never forgotten. We love you Gail and Authur!
Ralph Edward Griggs
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Janet and Dyke: I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mother. she and I go way back. I had the great honor of being in her lst wedding. Joe was my first friend on Sycamore Bend as 4 and 5 year olds. Gail gave us use of her Wales home for a week or so. Had a ball. She loved you girls with all her heart and I know words can't say how much you will miss her.
Iona Day
Thursday, October 1, 2020
You are already missed so much.
Thank you for the love you showed my family but mostly thank you for loving my dad.
You where a wonderful lady with so many stories to tell from the adventures you had in life.
We will never forget you. Love always Iona, Darren, Riece and Damien xxx
Andrew Thomson
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Good bye for now dear lady.. Sleep tight miss gail and be at peace and pain free.. thank you for making by dad happy and the many memories I will cherish of our family times spent together also..
Sleep tight my dear and god bless
Love Andrew
Todd & Bonnie Barbey
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
We are sad to hear that Gail is no longer here with us on earth, but know that life goes on in heaven. As Jesus has a horse, I would guess that there are ponies that Gail is now in charge of overseeing. She and Lynda Gillen-Smith are probably debating which is better a B pony or a cob. We love you Gail! See you soon, our friend. We love you Arthur, and hope to see you at the shows. Or come visit.
Bob Fousert
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Only knew Gail a short time, but she was a lovely person who it is an honour to call a friend.
RIP
Clarke Morris
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
I sure love you Aunt Gail
Helen Joy Velenosi
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
With sad heart the Lord has taken my welsh mentor home. Through many phone calls and a wealth of information no book could give, She educated me with Godspeed the information I would need to be successful in the welsh pony world. She always made the time to discuss conformation and movement in depth. She spoke of the crosses of Gayfield Champion after Champion. With all the information she gave, we added another Champion to the list with the pony her daughter Janet sold to me. Only this time a Canadian Champion on the line and later in Performance. I'm Thankful the Lord sent me down Gails path. I will always cherish the memories of the calls, the laughs and stories. Go with God until we speak again. Thinking of you and yours from Canada.
Jo Harshbarger
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Gail will be missed. I loved to hear the many stories of her beautiful Welsh ponies. She was a very special friend.
Nikki White-LaComb
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
You will truly be missed by many. You were always so kind and had the best stories. Many prayers for the family.
Wyn Jones
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Rest in Peace Gail. It was such a pleasure to have known you, although I had beaten you to Coed Coch Lili you only jokingly held it against me.You worked tirelessly for the Welsh ponies and cobs in the USA and well deserved all the accolades that were bestowed upon you. Our thoughts are with Arthur and all of Gail's family at this sad time. Gorffwys yn dawel. From all at the Nerwyn Stud.
Beth
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Dear Arthur, Clay, Dyke, Lloyd, Jamie, Janet and family - please accept my heartfelt condolences to you all for the loss of beloved Gail.
What a wonderful and unique mother, wife, grandmother you were blessed with; she was a one-of- a-kind, true friend to me. Although Welsh ponies were her life's work and passion, the real love of her life was all of you. During our many, many phone calls and visits, one might think that we only talked pony-talk, and we did, but mainly she would regale me with the happenings of Jack, Emmet, Janet, Janet's girls, Dyke, Dyke's girls, Arthur or Holly; and she would reminisce about her sister and her parents, whom she sadly missed. Generally, when I would bring a story of my own to the table - she listened, advised, but she knew she could tell a better one - in the way that only Gail could - until finally I would just give up and enjoy Gail. She had wit, panache and she knew it- what a memory she had of her full and interesting life. She never grew tired of sharing stories of her family, all the while her pride, fascination, joy and love shining through, it was always easy for me to feel how special you all were to her - she was so proud of, and obviously dedicated to the happiness of, those connected to her.
I missed Gail and her beautiful heart of late, miss her today, and will always miss Gail - God bless her and all of you at this very sad time - Sincerely, Beth Lynch.
OTTIS AND MARIE DUNNING
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS . OUR PRAYERS AND LOVE ARE WITH ALL THE FAMILY
Don Nowak
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
A great lady that will be definitely be missed.
Deborah E Branson
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
The Welsh world has lost a treasure. Rest in peace with many of your ponies and friends.
Len and Ann Bigley and family (Llanarth)
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
We had the pleasure and privilege of being friends with Gail for over forty years. She was an inspiration to all who met her. Her love and passion for her Welsh ponies transcended the pony fraternity worldwide. A respected judge and breeder, her 'larger than life' personality and her generosity of spirit were hallmarks. Rest in peace Gail we will not forget you.
Doug and Jill Marolf
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Our sincere condolences to all of Gail's family. She was a huge personality and has left a legacy through her ponies and her work to make WPCSA what it is today.
Clare Granger
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
So shocked and saddened to hear of gails passing.
A truly wonderful lady, whom we shared some very found memories with.
She lived for her ponies and what wonderful ponies she bred and kept.
Our thought go out to Arthur and family at this very sad time.
The royal welsh show will not be the same again, with out Gail there.
All our love and best wishes
Clare Granger, George Mitchel & master george mitchell xxxxxxxx
Pat Morrison Kultgen
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
I am going to miss her. She was truly our Welsh pony Queen.
Kathi Lindholm
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
We had such good times together, both in US and Wales. I will miss you greatly!
My thoughts are with your the family at this sad time.
Dewi and Eirian Evans
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
We will miss Gail greatly. She was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Welsh ponies. She had a loving,kind and sincere character with a genuine interest in everyone. Rest in peace.x
Mike and Sharon McHone
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Our thoughts, prayers and love to the family of Miss Gail, such a brilliant, amazing, kind lady. Forever in our hearts. Love you Gail.
RaeAnne Collins
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Janet and Dyke,
Oh, what great memories we have! We had such fun times back in the old days.
Gail was a wonderful ''aunt'' to me, and we had such good times when we were all together. As a grownup, she was a very dear friend that I knew I could count on for anything.
Arthur,
I remember meeting you and being so happy that Gail had found you. She was so happy. Thank you for changing her life.
Love to all,
RaeAnne