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Mrs. Vera Gail Koontz Ijames, 80, formerly of West Church Street, Mocksville, died Friday, July 15, 2022, at Somerset Court.

She was born on June 28, 1942, in Davie County to her loving parents, the late Ernest Theodore and Helen Jones Koontz.

She was born in the family farmhouse in the Davie Academy community, where she would spend her childhood. A graduate of Cool Springs High School, Gail obtained degrees from Mitchell College, Catawba College, and UNC-Chapel-Hill, and spent her career as a librarian in Virginia and North Carolina. She worked for many years as the children’s librarian at the Davie County Public Library and believed in the power of words and stories.  She married Bill Ijames, and together they raised their two daughters. Mrs. Ijames loved working with children, and her own children, and grandchild, were her greatest joys.  Gail was a devoted member of the Church of Christ and found comfort and purpose in the word of God.

Survivors include: her husband, William Grady Ijames Jr.; 2 daughters, Amy Henkel (Pete) of Raleigh, and Abby Moser (Artus) of Swannanoa; a grandson, Owen Moser; a sister, Janey Sell of Mocksville; a brother, Sonny Koontz (Charlesanna) of Thomasville; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives.

Gail’s life was remembered by a service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 20 at the outdoor shelter of Salem United Methodist Church, with Mr. Jack Lipsey officiating. Friends paid respects to Gail by visiting Eaton Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 19.

Memorials: Somerset Court of Mocksville, Employee Appreciation Fund, c/o Angell Parrish, 150 Ken Dwiggins Drive, Mocksville, NC 27028, where Gail lived for the past four years; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.