Gail Bright Strickland, 56, of Roanoke Rapids, died Monday, May 27, 2013 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Gail, a native of Roanoke Rapids, was the daughter of Harry Thomas and the late Eva Vaughn Bright.

Gail was a 1975 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and was also a graduate of UNC-G, Suma Cum Laude. She was a retired educator of 30 years with the Northampton County school system where she was a two-time teacher of the year. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.

Gail was a lifelong member of Stanley White Presbyterian Church where she was a sessions member, president of the Women’s Club, an Elder for many years, and played the piano and organ for 37 years.

Gail was an avid supporter of Relay For Life and was a board member with Angel’s Closet since its inception.

Most of all, Gail loved being a ''Na Na''.

Gail is survived by her husband of 34 years, Jimmy W. Strickland; her daughter, Ashley S. Griffies and her husband, Brody, of Roanoke Rapids; her son, Tray Strickland of Atlantic Beach; her father, Harry T. Bright, of Roanoke Rapids; her sister, Harriett B. Boylan and her husband, Terry, of Raleigh; Na Na’s loving granddaughters, Layla Morgan and Lillian Marie Griffies; her sisters-in-law, Toni S. Outland of Roanoke Rapids, and Robin S. Bates and her husband, Jim, of Norfolk, VA; and three nieces and one nephew.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Brunk and Rev. Randy Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services on Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and other times at the home.