Gail Sears

Gail Norene (Sears) True was born on March 25, 1950 and left the bounds of this old world for a heavenly home, for a third time, on July 5, 2018. She first left this old world during an emergency C-section to deliver her youngest son on June 23, 1986 then a second time on July 1. 2010 following heart surgery. Upon being resuscitated, her only remark to the doctors was, "This is not what I want!" Apparently, a future with Jesus in Heaven looked better than being in Arkansas with family and friends.

She was born in Walla Walla, Washington, to Charles Eugene Sears and Icephine (Loftin) Sears, and made her home in Washington and Oregon until moving to Northwest Arkansas in 1964. As a child in Oregon, Gail was a well-known child pianist, the recipient of numerous awards by the Music Teacher's Guild of America and the University of Oregon. She was an Honor Graduate of Prairie Grove High School (AR) in 1968, the recipient of many awards and scholarships in a variety of fields.

Born with several major birth defects involving her heart, lungs, and trachea, she miraculously lived to become a senior citizen and gave birth to four children along the way.

Gail attended the University of Arkansas working on dual majors in English/Journalism, before taking a working sabbatical to marry and start a family. She later resumed her studies and graduated in December of 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and minors in Real Estate & Finance. Gail held the distinction of being the first Accounting student in her graduating class to pass all parts of the CPA exam. Gail worked her way through college first as a legal secretary, then as a Certified Paralegal certified by the correspondence school of the University of Arizona. While still a full-time student, Gail started her own tax preparation business, and after passing the CPA exam, Gail continued her self-employment expanding her services to a full range of accounting and tax preparation services. She derived much satisfaction from serving her clients, and was a faithful and trusted advisor to a very loyal clientele throughout Northwest Arkansas for over 30 years.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, Charles Eugene Sears and her older brother, Larry Sears. Gail is survived by her beloved husband, John David True of the home; her mother, Icephine Sears of Fayetteville, Ark., and a younger brother and sister, Kevin Sears and wife Danita and Linda Charlene Sears all of Fayetteville, Ark. She is also survived by her four children, Sam Biswell and wife Leora of Farmington, Ark., Master Chief Travis Biswell and wife Renee of the U.S. Navy stationed in Seattle, Wash., Rebecca Chapman and husband Mike of Springdale, Ark., and Logan Biswell and wife Jessica of Fayetteville; four step-children, (Dr. David True Springfield, Mo.; Jennifer Russow of Bentonville, Ark.; Angela Grimmett of Nixa, Mo.; and Melanie True Nix of Wake Forrest, N.C.); eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and eight step-grandchildren.

She had a great laugh and enjoyed her husband's many stories plus watching comedy movies and TV programs. Her laughter made her a joy to be around plus she would always forget the punch lines to jokes which allowed her husband, John to repeat a lot material.

Gail always displayed a tremendous work ethic which she learned being raised in the Sears' household. Even when she felt terrible she would continue to do her job serving her clients. She always followed the old self-employment adage of "Don't call in, crawl in."

Gail had the superpower of smell. Occasionally she had problems with her hearing but never with her sense of smell. After her marriage to John David True in 2004, Gail and John, as The True Foundation, became a singing and songwriting duo, writing and performing Southern Gospel music locally. She had a sweet tenor voice and harmonized well with her husband, both on and off the stage!

Gail was a seven-year member of the Farmington Planning Commission and ran unopposed to serve on the Farmington City Council. She had a large number of interests in a wide range of fields. She was extremely well-read and capable of discussing a large number of subjects. Her husband claimed openly that she was the smartest woman he knew and said she proved it by denying his claim which is the prerequisite for show such intelligence. Gail kept up with current events, with a special interest in politics. She was well-loved, highly cherished by all who knew her well, and will be sorely missed. However, to the very end, she held her head up high and said she was simply thankful to have lived a miraculously full and long life.

Visitation will be held 5 p.m. – 7 p.m Friday July 13, 2018 at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Community Emergency Outreach through First Baptist Church 20 E Dickson Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701. To sign the online guest book visit www.nelsonberna.com.