Gail Desmond (Pittman) Doles

Gail Desmond Doles, 80, of Crossett, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022, at her home.  She was born in Rayville, Louisiana, on August 28, 1941, to her parents, Wiley, and Ella Mae Branch Pittman and was a graduate of Rayville High School.

For several years, Gail worked as a clerk at Kinard’s Jewelers in Crossett prior to opening Gail’s Shoe Gallery in the Main Mall. 

When it came to shopping, Gail was in a league all by herself.  Fashion was her passion.  She was a true diva, always glamorously dressed, classy, and refined, and able to articulate an insult without you even knowing.  She was hilarious and unfiltered but with the inability to whisper, and her presence took center stage in any crowd.  Gail was also intelligent, spirited, and enjoyed traveling all over the world.  She was a talented decorator, seamstress, and pianist, but cooking was, by far, where she excelled.  She was well known for her fabulous seafood gumbo but, unfortunately according to her family, never mastered the art of the ‘unburnt’ roll.       

She loved her family dearly, especially her grands, great-grands, and dogs and will forever be missed by all who knew her.

She is proceeded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Basil Doles, Jr., and her daughter, Tonya Ann Mashburn.

She leaves behind two sons; Philip Lee (Mandy) of Crossett, and Clark Abrams of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.; two brothers; Jimmy Pittman (Dorothy) of Rayville, Louisiana, and Alan Pittman (Agnes) of Kansas City, Kansas; and one sister, Diane Pyle (Johnny) of Montgomery, Texas; along with a beloved son-in-law, Jimmy Mashburn of Crossett; four grandchildren, Bryson Lee (Colicia), Lakin Lee, Gabriel Jordan, and A1C (Airman First Class) Peyton Kyle; three great-grandchildren, Briar and Baylor Rice, and Blade Overbey; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 17th, at Medders Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in Crossett, with Bro. Dan Wooten, officiating followed by interment at Stevenson Cemetery in Beekman, LA under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Thomas Gray, Tyler Barnes, Shane Pittman, Clint Mashburn, Mason Taunton, and James Mashburn.  Honorary pallbearers are Vaughn Barnes, Doug Robinson, A1C Peyton Kyle, and Matt Mashburn.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 16th at Medders Funeral Home.

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