Mrs. Gail Poole Fannon, 69, of Benjamin Drive, Boone, died Tuesday afternoon, October 18, 2011, at Carolinas Medical Center. Born January 25, 1942, in Sparta, she was a daughter of the late Reid C. and Sadie Crouse Poole.

Gail received a BS and Masters Degree in Business from Appalachian State University and her Juris Doctor Degree from Campbell University. She taught the fifth grade for two years in Rockingham County; taught business at Mount Airy Senior High for one year; and taught business classes at Surry Community College for five years. In 1981, Gail opened the first all female law firm in Boone. She continued to practice there until 2007 when she retired and joined the Watauga County District Attorney's office as an Assistant District Attorney.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ron Fannon; two sons, Brian Fannon and friend, Liz Hindman, of Boone, and Landon T. Fannon and friend, Crystal Butler, of Winston-Salem; one brother-in-law; Jack Fannon of Idaho; six nieces and nephews, Rebecca Lowery, Alton Poole, Richard and Jonathan Fannon, Nancy Henderson and Tammy German; and number of grand nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother; Dale A. Poole.

Funeral services for Mrs. Gail Poole Fannon will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Gordon Noble. Graveside services and burial will be 2:30 p.m. at the Sparta Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, P. O. Box 295, Boone, NC 28607.

The family will receive friends 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to the Fannon family at http://austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com . Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Fannon family.