Mary Gail (Hiley) Eldridge was born on February 17, 1951, in Brinkley, Arkansas, to Arnold Stanford Hiley and Mary Evalyna Hiley. The baby of the family, Gail (or Mary Gail, as many called her in her early years) grew up adored from the start—a fact that never changed in her 74 years on this earth. From the beginning, she had a deep love for the Lord and a warmth about her that drew others to her shining light immediately. Gail attended Brinkley High School, where she was a friend to all. She remained close with her high school classmates throughout her life.
Gail graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with a degree in education. Teaching was a passion for Gail, and she embraced it with her whole heart. As a kindergarten teacher for over 35 years, she formed close relationships with her students and their families that lasted a lifetime.
Described as “everyone’s best friend,” Gail was known for her warmth, generosity, humor, and sincere love for those around her. While Gail had many friends whom she loved dearly, no one felt her love more than her children and grandchildren.
Gail spent much of her life in Augusta, Arkansas, with her husband, John Dupree “Jay” Eldridge. Along the White River in Woodruff County, she felt most at home and developed deep friendships with her many Augusta “folks,” including family, friends made through Augusta Elementary School, and her PEO sisters. Those friendships endured even after she relocated to Hutchinson, Kansas, to be closer to family.
Gail is survived by her children: Rachael Lynn Bone; Chad Stephen (Lori) Bone; Mary Kristan (Torrance) Parkins; and Erin Elizabeth (Shawn) Richardson; as well as her stepdaughters, Ann Hart Miles and Mary Dupree (Billy) Jones. She leaves behind many grandchildren and bonus grandchildren who loved her deeply. Landry Richardson, Harper Schroeder, Anna Richardson, Ben Parkins, Kate Parkins, Farrah Turner, Jon Turner, Emma Crabtree, Will Jones, Thomas Jones, Natalie Schroeder, Makenzie Schroeder, and Kaylee Schroeder all had the honor of calling her Gigi, and she loved them all immensely. She is also survived by her big sister, Patty Stiles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Jay Eldridge; and her big brother, Frankie Bonds.
A funeral mass will be held on January 9th at 2pm, with a rosary preceding, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. A graveside service will follow in Arkansas at the Eldridge Family cemetery in Gregory, Arkansas on January 24 at 11am, with a reception to follow at Tamale Factory. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association. To honor her love of education, she would have appreciated any support given to local public schools.