Martha Gail Anderson, 73, of Andrews died peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 in the Foothills Hospice House in Landrum, SC.

Gail was born August 12, 1940 and grew up in Andrews where she was a basketball star with the Andrews Wildcats. She was a 1962 graduate of Western Carolina University where she majored in physical education. After completing her Masters in Education, Gail’s first teaching job was in Stanley County. She subsequently taught in Haywood County, Macon County, at Piedmont College in Georgia, and Brevard College for several years where she coached both basketball and tennis. Gail returned to Cherokee County to teach at Marble School and to take care of her aging parents.

Gail was a long time member of Valley River Baptist Church and later attended Murphy First Baptist Church and then to Andrews First Baptist Church. She was very much loved and appreciated by her friends at each location. She was an amateur artist and wood carver and enjoyed giving her work to family and friends.

Gail was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Grady and Mollie Anderson.

Gail is survived by her brother, Willis Anderson of Asheville; her nephew, David Anderson of Raleigh (wife Kristin, and children, William, and Isabella); her nephew, Jim Anderson of Oklahoma City (wife Nora, and children, Andi and Daniel); her nephew, Dan Anderson of Asheville (wife Jennifer, and children, Meredith and Elizabeth); her aunt, Helen F. Anderson of Asheville, and her aunt, Lula Mae Heddon of Greensboro, GA. She is also survived by several cousins and many dear friends.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Saturday, December 14, 2013 in Valley River Baptist Church with Revs. Woodrow Busch and Roy Phillips officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were David, Jim, and Dan Anderson, James Hall, David Queen, and Joe Thompson.

The family received friends from 1:00 – 1:45 Saturday afternoon at the Valley River Baptist Church prior to the services.

Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.