Gail Suttlemyre Lavender

Gail Suttlemyre Lavender, 82, passed away December 23, 2020 at Westminster Towers in Rock Hill, South Carolina after a long battle with Dementia.

She was born on May 4, 1938 in Marion, North Carolina. Gail was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Myers Suttlemyre. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Gail spent most of her life growing up in Marion, North Carolina. She graduated from Jackson High in Jackson, SC where her parents moved to start a small grocery store while the Savanah River Nuclear Plant was being constructed. Afterward, her parents sold the store and moved back to Marion, North Carolina. Gail then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend King's Business College. She married Stuart H. Smith in 1958. Gail and Stuart had two sons and settled in Fort Mill, South Carolina. In 1982 Gail married her high school sweetheart, Jerry G. Lavender. They were happily married until Jerry's death in 2019.

In 1994, Gail and her daughter-in-law started The Crossings On Main, a gift boutique located in downtown Fort Mill, South Carolina. She operated the store until her retirement in 2014. Gail had many passions, one of her favorites was playing golf. She was a member of the Fort Mill Lady's Golf Club for more than 50 years, where she developed beautiful lifelong friendships. Her greatest joy was her granddaughters.

Gail is survived by her sons Stuart H. (Chip) Smith, III (Cathie) of Fort Mill, SC and Stacy D. Smith of New York, NY. Gail had two granddaughters, Catherine (Loring) Bobart (Brandon) and Elizabeth (Cooper) Smith, and one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth (Georgie) Bobart. Gail was especially fond of her nephew, Brandon Godfrey.
Along with her parents and husband, Jerry Lavender, she is predeceased by her sister, Vivian Godfrey.

Due to the current health situation a private ceremony will be held.

Memorial donations can be made in honor of Gail's life to Education Equals Hope, PO Box 367, Fort Mill, SC 29716

The family would like to thank Westminster Towers Long Term Care for their outstanding service, especially nurse, Beth Cottle.