Mrs. Gail Bowdoin Andress, age 77, of Samson, Alabama passed away, Thursday, November 28, 2024 at her home.

Gail enjoyed being active in her community and seeing things change for the better. She and Coley worked well over a year getting county water set-up for the western side of Geneva County, signing up over 175 houses. Gail also organized the Samson Red Hatters Club, was a member of the Republican Party where she served several years on local and state executive committees as well as starting the Women's Republican Party of Geneva County, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for numerous years.

Gail worked many years in the textile industry, lastly being employed at PrideCraft in Enterprise. While there, they asked her to go to South America as an instructor to train others to do her job. Traveling to South American wasn't something Gail was interested in, so when she declined PrideCraft sent her home. Sewing always held a place in Gail's heart and she knew that was something she wanted to continue. In 1998 she opened her own shop, Andress Embroidery & Heat Transfer. During her years in business she made cheerleader, football and baseball uniforms for school, city and county leagues and made many political campaign shirts for local politicians. She also made bibs and throw blankets for over 100 residents in the Geneva Nursing Home. She operated her business until 2018 when her health started to fail.

Mrs. Andress is survived by her husband, Coley Andress; sons, Mike Kelley (Sheila), and Jay Kelley; brother, Bob Bowdoin; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosa Dell Barbaree Bowdoin & Wentford Eli "Went" Bowdoin; sisters, Dot Nobles, Margaret Jones and Sue Bollinger; and brothers, Joe Bowdoin and Bill Bowdoin.

Funeral services for Mrs. Gail Bowdoin Andress will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 6, 2024 from Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Meadowlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service. Pastors Kevin Kelley and Jadon Schank will be officiating with Jimmy Wise, Don Daniel, Eugene Austin, Tim Allen, Joe Kather and Robbie Weahunt serving as pallbearers.

The family requests the omission of flowers and memorials be made to the charity of one's choice.