GOODELL - FOLSOM, Gail

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Gail Goodell Folsom, 87, of Prescott, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2010, with family surrounding her. She was born on May 24, 1923, in Allen, Neb., to Harry and Belle (Wheeler) Warner. Gail married Robert Yates Goodell in 1943 and moved with their three children, Rex, Jill and Neil, from Nebraska to Prescott in 1958. She devoted her life to family and church while working in Prescott, first as a deputy clerk in the Yavapai County Treasurer's Office and as a secretary at the Methodist Church. She later retired in 1981 after more than 13 years as a receptionist and legal secretary for the law office of Richard Walraven. Gail received many honors during her life in Prescott including Yavapai County Legal Secretary of the Year in 1978, the Salvation Army William Booth Award for Outstanding Advisory Board Service in 2001, and Membership Emeritus Award for 21 years of service to the Salvation Army in 2009. She was a lifetime member of Soroptomist International, a member of Republican Women of Prescott and the Prescott Fine Arts Association. She served as Salvation Army Chaplain and choir director for the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ and later for Prescott Community Church. She was also a member of NALS (the Association for Legal Professionals) and Scots of Prescott. In addition to leading church choirs, Gail was an accomplished pianist and vocalist, performing in many local venues during her life. She will always be remembered by family and friends as a loving wife and mother, compassionate community volunteer and dedicated religious leader. She married long-time family friend Douglas L. Folsom Jr. in 1969 and created a blended family that included Larry and Jim Folsom, sons of Douglas and Sarah (Blanton) Folsom. Gail is survived by her children Rex (Joan) Goodell of Las Vegas, Nev., Jill (Richard) Hale of Prescott, and Neil (Annie) Goodell of Flagstaff; stepsons Larry (Lucina) Folsom of Tracy, Calif., and Jim (Candy) Folsom of Phoenix; grandchildren Kelly Miller, Kristen Neuman, and Bill, Doug and Ben Folsom; and great-grandchildren Tony, Tori and Tiffy Miller, Aidan Neuman and Amanda Folsom. Gail is preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Goodell, second husband Douglas Folsom and grandson Justin Folsom. A celebration of Gail's life will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, at Prescott Community Church, 3151 Willow Creek Road in Prescott. Burial will immediately follow at the National Memorial Cemetery (Veterans Administration) in Prescott. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Salvation Army, 237 S. Montezuma St., Prescott, AZ 86303, or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Gail's guestbook. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.