Gail Theresa Hurst was born December 1, 1951 to the late Charles and Margaret Hurst in Fort Pierce, Florida. She accepted God at an early age and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Pierce. In her formative years she attended segregated public schools in St. Lucie County. Where in 1968 became first graduating class to integrate Dan McCarty High during the turbulent years of racial unrest. The racial inequities in her youth left an indelible impression on her life. She was inspired by her grandmother, Viola Jay and mothers’ community social activism astutely aware of her humble beginnings from mothers’ staged debates against sisters and oldest brother on topics of racial inequality.

She obtained a Bachelors’ Degree from Florida A&M University and became a License Dietician working with the elderly and less fortunate in Tallahassee, Florida. In the mid-seventies she was employed by Indian River Community College as Coordinator of a Federal funded program to meet educational needs of migrant workers. She obtained a Master’s Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Education. In 1978 Gail embarked on another professional endeavor to give back to enrich educational needs of our youth. She taught third grade in Orange County Public schools retiring in 2012 after 35 years of dedicated service.

She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta Chapter actively servicing her community and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Orlando. Monday morning, February 5, 2018, Gail quietly passed away at Vitas Hospital in Winter Garden, Florida after a long illness. Gail without question was dedicated to her family had a unique relationship with each member.  Her loving generous and kindred spirit could only be equaled by the contagious nature of her smile and quick wit.

Those who will always cherish her giving, and nurture her memories, she leaves to mourn her passing: one daughter, Lori Tramble of Orlando, Florida; one granddaughter and grandson, Tahara Cherry and Vincent Haslam of Orlando; two sisters, Regina Hurst of U. S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Sheryl Hurst- Williams of Ft. Pierce; two brothers, Mark Middlebrooks of Winter Garden, Florida, Khaleeq Hodari (formally Kenny Hurst) of Atlanta, Georgia; six nieces, Natrice Clark, Christina Akeyla Williams, Tiquilia Cook, Tiffani Middlebrooks all of Fort Pierce; Keisha Hurst, of Miami, Florida; Angela Owens of Houston, Texas; Jasmine Hurst of Ellenwood, Georgia; Halima Hodari of Atlanta, Georgia; five nephews, La Mário Williams, Augustus Irving, Nate Mandela Hurst, Latavius  Morris, all of Fort Pierce; Mark Middlebrooks Jr. of Indianola, Mississippi; one beloved sister in-law of Atlanta Georgia, Bouchra Hodari; a host of loving great nieces and nephews, cousins and relatives; devoted classmates and friends, Linda Carter-Anderson, Vanessa Williams, Voncille Thompson of Orlando, Loretta Richardson-Spivey and Vivian Jordan-Edwards of Fort Pierce, Ladine Stallworth of Clermont, Florida, special family friend; Patricia Lee- Brumsey sorrowing neighbors and friends too numerous to name.