Mrs. Gail Wike Dooley

Mrs. Gail Wike Dooley, surrounded by loving family, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 6, 2023, in her home at Clairmont Lake in Decatur, GA.

Mrs. Dooley, the daughter of the late Manuel Wike and Bonnie (Bryant) Wike, was born on November 21, 1934, in Trion, GA. She enjoyed a happy childhood as the youngest of six girls. Mrs. Dooley attended Trion High School where she found her love for music as a school song leader and member of the Glee Club and Pep Club. While at Trion High School, she began dating Boyce Dooley which led to a deep love and plans for marriage following his Marine service during the Korean War. While Boyce was in Korea, Gail moved to Chattanooga, TN, and worked in an office. Upon Boyce’s return from the war, they were married in Trion in January 1956. The young couple moved to Atlanta as Boyce pursued his college education at Georgia Tech. While there, they began their family with the birth of their son, David Boyce Dooley, and a year and a half later, their daughter, Denise Gail Dooley.

Upon Boyce’s graduation, Gail focused on turning houses into loving homes as Boyce’s career took them to places like Pensacola, FL, Birmingham, AL, Huntsville, AL, and Phoenix, AZ. When Boyce decided to bring cable TV to Chattooga County, the family moved back to Trion. Besides caring for her family, Gail ran the office of the Clear-VU Cable company, was a faithful member of the Trion United Methodist Church choir, Chattooga County Garden Club, and local bridge clubs.

After retirement, Gail and Boyce embarked on years of travel with the Georgia Tech Alumni Association and other travel clubs. However, her greatest loves were spending time with family, sailing trips aboard their sailboat, Gazebo, and watching sunsets over the water at Pensacola Beach and Weiss Lake.

In her later years, Gail and Boyce moved to Decatur, GA to be near family. Here she became the unofficial social director of their independent living community, organizing evening social hours, becoming a competitive BINGO player, much sought after bridge partner, and community choir member.

Gail was a gracious lady known for her quick smile, sharp wit, and welcoming spirit. She will be missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her sister, Ann Scoggins; her son, David Dooley and his wife, Coreen; her daughter, Denise Rowland and her husband, Harry; her grandchildren, Rachel Tillman Peaden (Jon); Bonnie Grace Tillman; her step-grandchildren, Melissa Rowland and Harry Rowland III; her great-grandchildren, Ella Peaden and Emma Peaden; loving nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Mrs. Dooley was preceded in death by her husband Boyce Dooley, four sisters, son-in-law Gary Tillman, and granddaughter Hannah Gail Tillman.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Tuesday July 11, 2023, at Trion United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trion United Methodist Church, The Boys and Girls Club of Chattooga County, or to a charity of your choice.

Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Gail Wike Dooley.  Please visit www.coffmanfh.net to sign our online guestbook and post condolences.

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