Gail Sconyers Porcel, 79

Gail Sconyers Porcel, age 79, passed away Monday, February 24, 2024. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 27, at 2 p.m. from the Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Curt Grimm officiating. Interment will follow in the Swainsboro City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Hilliard, Timmy Williams, Neil Grice, Scotty Grice, Charles Gray and Davy Kirby. Honorary pallbearers will be Barry LaRoque, Jim Sink, Roger Boles, Randy Jones, Charlie Sconyers, Randy Sconyers, Jason Williams, Robbie Peebles and Jess Bush.

Born April 8, 1945, to Neil and Oris Abney Sconyers, Gail was the youngest girl in a family of 12, lovingly raised in the heart of downtown Augusta. From the very beginning, she embodied the spirit of a true steel magnolia—strong yet nurturing, full of love, laughter, and grace. Gail was a remarkable woman who touched the hearts of many.

The Sconyers family had a deep affection for Augusta, but their hearts ultimately led them back to Swainsboro, their hometown. One memorable evening, after returning to their roots, Gail and her sister Jan decided to attend the local Record Hop at the Nancy Auditorium. It was there that Gail first laid eyes on Fred, who would later claim that the moment he saw her from across the room, he just knew she was the one he would marry. After playfully brushing off his grand introduction of their future life together, Gail eventually agreed to go on a date with him. Their connection blossomed, leading to their wedding on December 29, 1961.

In 1963, Gail and Fred welcomed their first baby, Michael, who they loved and adored all his days here on earth. Four years later, in 1967, they added a baby girl to the family when they welcomed their first daughter, Pamela, into the world, then their son Kelly, in 1972. After having her first three children, Gail decided to enroll at Swainsboro Technical College to obtain her cosmetology license. She graduated in 1974 after apprenticing and working alongside Mrs. Glenda Grimm in downtown Swainsboro. In 1977, Gail welcomed her final baby girl into the world, Penny.

Gail’s immense love for her family was only enriched in 1987 when she became a grandmother. She dove headfirst into her most notable title as “Nana (Nonna)” and poured herself into her grandchildren, Casey, Michael, Brittany, Megan, Matthew, Jayce and Kailey.

In 2010, Gail moved to the suburbs of Atlanta with her youngest daughter, Penny and her family, to help in the day-to-day care of her youngest grandchildren. She was also blessed to get to help care for her great-grandson, Nolan, while her granddaughter Brittany attended college. She nurtured him much like she had her other grandchildren, filling their days with warmth, laughter, coffee, and the love of watching game shows.

Gail embraced the simple luxuries of life, finding peace in slow mornings with coffee and homemade breakfasts created for her grandchildren. The heartfelt conversations around the dinner table, the comfort of a favorite pair of blue jeans, the thrill of antiquing, and the joy of a sweet, late-night snack. She was a dedicated fan of the Braves, cheering them on with unwavering passion, and she never shied away from a round of poker or playing card games. She loved spending time with those she loved and that is where her vibrant personality truly shined.

In her community, Gail was affectionately known as “Mama” at the Swainsboro Moose Lodge by her many friends. She was a beacon of light, the life of the party, and someone who welcomed everyone with open arms. To know Gail was to experience her genuine kindness and her ability to make everyone feel special. Mrs. Porcel is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Porcel; sons, Michael Porcel and Kelly Porcel; great-granddaughter, Bella Porcel-Hall; sisters, Francis “Sissy” Belcher, Virginia “Ginny” Odum, Louette “LuLu” Moore, Faye Purvis, June Stroud, Janice Phillips, Nell Grice and Joyce Burns; and brothers, Ray Sconyers and Rex Sconyers.

Mrs. Porcel is survived by her daughters, Pamela Hall (Greg) of Swainsboro and Penny Porcel of Swainsboro; grandchildren, Casey Smith (Randy) of Statesboro, Michael Porcel-Hall (Lara) of Aiken, Brittany Williams (Kyle) of Swainsboro, Jayce Thompson (Zaylee) of Dellwood, Kailey Thompson (Blake) of Kite, Megan Thompson (Dustin) of Swainsboro and Matthew Thompson (Roslyn) of Metter; great-grandchildren, Addyson Smith, Zuri Porcel-Hall, Abigail Porcel-Hall, Nolan Williams, Olivia Smith, Mikey Porcel-Hall Dixie Lee, Millie Watkins and Mason Watkins, and brother, Joe Sconyers of Augusta.

Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.