Obituary of Gail Axtell Erwin

Gail Axtell Erwin, of Herndon, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Spring Arbor of Leesburg, Virginia.  She was born on July 2, 1952 in Dallas, Texas to Clive Sutton “Red” Axtell and Elaine Mary Velie Axtell. She was raised in Reston and Herndon.  Gail married Jimmie Ray Erwin (Poppy) on May 12, 2012 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon. 

THE FINE ARTIST and CHURCH LADY:  Gail was a very gifted fine artist her whole life. Her lyrical paintings of natural subjects and buildings and her exquisite jewelry belong to many of you reading this.  For decades Gail had gallery space at RAGS (Reston Art Gallery and Studios) at Lake Anne.  She and renowned artist and proprietor, Patricia Macintyre, collaborated on many themes through the years.  Their “Two Views” Show, usually held at the gallery in May, was always a success.  Gail performed restoration on many original Audubon prints for Mr. Edward Kenney (Ricky); she also colorized hundreds of small lithographs for Kirk Krommenhoek (Starlett). Gail served as Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Herndon and at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Herndon.  Along with her wonderful friend, LaVerne Campbell, she taught mid-day Discipleship Classes for many years at Trinity.  The Church Ladies remember her so very well. Gail lived with and cared for her handicapped mother, Elaine, for many years in their home.  Loving service, but trying, Gail was the best daughter and caretaker a mother could ever have.

THE FLOWER GARDENER.  Gail loved working in her many flower beds. During growing season, her home was filled with many vases of beautiful flowers (some you will not find at the florist’s). Working with nature to create exquisite floral beauty for many years, she was often seen by her husband RUNNING between flower beds transplanting plants. In all creative and artistic endeavors, Gail just had to work quickly from the excitement of creating.  And when much too long after dark, the husband would come out to council dinner, wine, and a shower, the Flower Gardener (and Child) would say “Just 5 more minutes…”.  All gardeners know this actually means 43 more minutes. Of course. Supper had to wait many evenings.

Preceding Gail into the vastness of eternity:  Her mother, Elaine Mary Velie Axtell; father, Clive Sutton Axtell; brother, Daniel Dean Axtell; her Special Aunt, Julienne Velie Copp, (and oh, so many Velie relatives); father-in-law, John D. Erwin; mother-in-law, Opal Louise Erwin (Maw Maw); brother-in-law, William Joseph Erwin; sister-in-law, Nettie Juanita Jones; brother-in-law, Gregory Jones; and niece, Angel Erwin.

She is survived by her husband of 11-1/2 years (Jimmie Erwin); the Velie and Hase families of Elk Mound, Wisconsin and the Velie family of West Melbourne and Palm Bay, Florida; Special Uncle, Jimmy Orr; brothers-in-law: Terry Erwin (Beth), John Erwin (Janet), Graylan Erwin (Connie), Michael Andrew Erwin (Sherry), and sister-in-law Conne Erwin. 

A BAND OF ANGELS.  Her family wish to thank the following for visiting Gail in Spring Arbor of Leesburg Memory Care: Pat Macintyre, Susan Oleson, LaVerne Campbell, Mr. Shafiq Ullah, Laura and George Goethel Dakes, and Pastor Stephen Smith-Cobbs of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Herndon.  Dr. Anita Rentz of Herndon Family Medicine (a most wise and skillful physician) guided us in the early days of memory loss.  Also, we thank the ladies of Home Instead who along with Mr. Joseph Clark (Physical Therapist) performed miracles for Gail in her home; and the Staff of Loudon Hospital. Most grateful appreciation goes to the most awesome and revered ladies at Spring Arbor of Leesburg Memory Care, who most lovingly and tenderly cared for Gail these last six months—we are in your debt.  The family wishes to thank our wonderful neighbors for watchful support during the four years that Gail was battling Dementia.

THE SPECIAL HEARTS for the Husband.  In a long war that we could not win, the principal caregiver (the husband) needed very special people to keep him going when he was slowly losing brain and body abilities in the daily fight.  After Gail went to live in Memory Care, Susan Oleson checked in nearly daily and once a month took the husband out to dinner. This semblance of near normalcy was a recharge time for the caregiver.  Pat Macintyre had the husband into her home during the many changing of holidays (and home decorations) for a cup of tea.  The husband’s soul will always love the lady and those hot cups of tea.

Gail, like her mother, directed no memorial service and her wish was to be cremated. 

Now.  You sit still.  You listen to me.  Came a stone-cold night in the seriousness of winter; long after midnight, the husband peered into the artist’s bedroom/studio.  And there she was (as so many, many late nights) cross-legged on her bed.  Putting the final brush strokes on an astounding painting or possibly bringing into existence a sparkling necklace or pin or broach or bracelet.  All of whose beauty was never before in this universe, and now, will never be created again. And as her deft hand moved the brush or her fingers became a blur with the stones, the husband notice a very pale, yellow light around her entire form.  Not wishing to commit the sin of interfering with the Creation of Artistic Wonder and Beauty, he softly closed the door. 

Then, the husband wondered.  How could anyone be so lucky to have the love of such a beautiful, kind, loving, compassionate, moral, hardworking, and artistically gifted girl?  Impossible.

Then the  heart sighed and said:  “By my Troth….  A most pleasant-spirited lady.”