Wanda “Gail” Harpole, 76, of Paducah, made her journey to paradise on Thursday,
July 13, 2023, at her home after a lengthy illness with Alzheimer’s disease.
Gail was born August 12, 1946 at Riverside Hospital in Paducah, KY, and she lived
here her entire life. She was the youngest child born to Charles “Red” Stratton
and Sible Inez Stratton. Survived by her loving husband, of 58 years, Larry Harpole
and a devoted daughter, Melissa (Missy) Harpole of Nashville, TN; her brother,
Larry Dale (Jackie) Stratton of Gilbert, AZ; as well as an uncle and aunt Fred and
Susan Cooper, her nieces, Jene' Stratton Evans of Louisville, KY, Ladona Alexander
of Benton, KY and her nephew, Wesley Stratton of Gilbert, AZ along with a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents, Charles Albert Stratton and Sible Inez Cooper Stratton, Gail was preceded in death by her brother, Gary Donald Stratton.
Gail graduated from Lone Oak High School class of 1964 and attended Concord
Elementary School through eighth grade where she was an active cheerleader for
the Concord Jets, and also a Girl Scout while attending LOHS.
Gail was involved in many organizations and clubs; F.H.A. (Chapter and Junior
Degrees). Usherette, Play Prop Committee, Library Club, Tri-Hi-Y, Junior
Achievement, “Oak K” Staff, KUNA Convention, Annual Activities Editor, Quill and
Scroll, Salesmanship Awards, and March of Dimes.
Gail loved to dance, and she was a regular on the Paducah Dance Party television
show and also on Teen Town. Gail met her future husband, Larry Harpole, at a
dance on October 3, 1964. Gail attended Draughon’s Business College in Paducah,
KY and she became the manager of the toy department at Valve Village where she
made numerous lifetime friends. Gail also became co-Troop leader, along with
her husband, of Girl Scout Troop 206 and 3206. She remained actively involved as
a Girl Scout leader while her daughter, Missy advanced through the scouting levels
for eleven years. During this time, she mentored many girls throughout the
scouting program and offered them valuable lifetime lessons. Former scouts saw
them as their second set of parents and have kept in touch with them throughout
the years. Many badges were earned, cookies sold, scout trips taken, numerous
campout sessions, museums visited, variety of volunteer hours and service to the
community, along with participating in all the Paducah parades.
Gail had a love of nature and the outdoors, camping at Hillman’s Ferry
Campground, stargazing and cloud art, and many vacations to the beach,
amusement parks, Disney World, Six Flags, Kings Island and Opryland. She
enjoyed arts and craft projects, cake and cookie decorating, working puzzles, playing games, collecting Coca Cola, fireworks, music and dancing, and having the
time of life!! Gail was thoroughly fond of daily drives downtown, stopping at the
Riverfront to view the many visiting boats, wave to everyone and trips through
Noble Park.
Gail was a member of Milburn Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church as well as
a preschool Sunday School teacher and worked with Bible school throughout her
early years.
Gail had a big heart, sense of humor, and always had a smile on her face and a
kind word for all. She was much loved by her family and friends and will be deeply
missed.
The family would like to thank all her physicians for her excellent treatment,
Mercy Health Hospice, and most importantly her wonderful caretakers for almost
three years, Wanda Woods and Shelia Hughes, who have become our extended
family during this journey. Many prayers were answered for our family, and we
feel extremely blessed that Gail still knew us until the final day of her end-stage
dementia.
A visitation to honor Gail’s life will take place on July 24, 2023, from 5 – 8 pm at
Lindsey’s Funeral Home, 226 N 4th St, Paducah, KY 42001. Additional visitation
from 11 am – 1 pm on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, with funeral service to follow at
1 pm, officiated by Rev. Don Wilson. Gail will be laid to rest at Maplelawn Park
Cemetery, 1335 N 13th St, Paducah, KY.
Memorial donations may be made to: Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, 2115 Lexington
Rd, Louisville, KY 40206 (In honor of Wanda Gail Harpole and made to the
attention of Tonya Schweitzer, payments made to Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana) and
also the Alzheimer’s Association, Home office, 225 N Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 ( www.alz.org ) (donations in honor of Wanda Gail Harpole).
Monday, July 24, 2023
5:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Lindsey Funeral Home
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)
Lindsey Funeral Home
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