Gaynelle Posey, 88, passed away very peacefully in her home in Ormond Beach on April 8, 2015. The daughter of Carl and Mary Lee Wilson Posey, Gaynelle was born in Jasper, Alabama and although she lived in Florida for many years, Alabama was always "home". Gaynelle is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Edward Harbison of Cullman Alabama, by her devoted friend, Laura Cason, who came to love Gaynelle's family as her own, and by her sister-in-law, Eva Mae Drummond Posey. She is also survived by four generations of nephews and nieces, many of whom treasure the wise counsel she offered them and memories of childhood trips to Ormond Beach. Gaynelle's love for her family and dear friends was exceeded only by her love of God and striving for a Christ-like life, so evidenced in all of her relationships. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Ida Mae Posey Beavers, and four brothers, John, Cecil, Milford, and Vachel.
Gaynelle graduated from high school in Jasper, Alabama, attended Walker County, Jr. College, and later earned her teaching degree at Florence State University. Following graduation she taught in Jasper for six years. She then moved to Washington, DC, where for five years, she worked for an insurance firm. She once said that every September, she "smelled the chalk dust", and having never lost the feeling for the classroom, returned to Alabama to teach for one more year before beginning a long, rewarding career as an educator in Volusia County in 1957.
Her first teaching job in Florida was at the Corbin Avenue School-now Ormond Beach Elementary. Three years later she moved to Ormond Beach Junior High with the late Andy Romano as principal. While there, she completed a master's degree at Stetson in Guidance and Counseling and served as the guidance director for the school. When Spruce Creek High School opened in 1976, Gaynelle joined the staff as an assistant principal, later serving as principal for four years. She recalled her years at "The Creek" as the most rewarding of her career, as she loved the students and faculty alike. Last January, she was among those honored by Spruce Creek at the school's 40th anniversary, a celebration that afforded her a chance to see students and faculty from 30 years past who clearly cherished the chance to tell her of the impact she had on their lives. Gaynelle's retirement in 1985 lasted only a year as she then joined the faculty of the Education Department at Stetson University as a supervisor for intern teachers, a ten year involvement which she called the culminating experience of her work as an educator.
Gaynelle's love of teaching and contributions as a leader were also seen in her membership at Central Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. She served as an ordained deacon, as chairman of the Board of Directors for A Child's Place, and provided valued leadership for the personnel and education committees. Having said many years earlier that her first love was teaching, it was not surprising that her greatest love at Central was as the teacher for the JOY adult Sunday school class.
At the time of her retirement from Spruce Creek, a faculty tribute to her ended this way: "Spruce Creek High in '86 for some will be the same but for most of us something will be missing--the smile, the heart, the calm, the care of Miss Posey in the halls." All who have loved her now find their comfort in knowing that she has found her complete peace and purpose with our Lord.

A celebration of life service will take place at Central Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. Funeral services and internment will follow in Jasper, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Baptist Church, 152 Fairview Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 or to Halifax Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com