Gail Salyer King Mortimer, beloved mother, grandmother, family member and friend to all,died on February 13th, 2026, after years of living with Parkinson’s disease.
Gail was born August 11th, 1940, to Imogene Howard Salyer and D. Glenn Salyer in the community of Bradley, Ky, in Magoffin County. She graduated from Salyersville High School in 1958 and then graduated from Morehead State University in 1962, majoring in English and French. She later got her master’s degree in Guidance Counseling and Rank 1 at MSU. She taught at Salyersville High School, Magoffin County High School, and served as the guidance Counselor at Herald Whitaker Middle School until she retired. After retiring she taught in the Adult Education Program, including English as a Second Language (ESL) for 9 years. In addition, Gail became licensed as an insurance agent and worked for several years in the family agency with Mike. She was always involved in her church, teaching Sunday School, leading Acteens and G.A.s, helping with V.B.S and mission trips.
Gail was married to John Michael King, Sr. for 51 years and he preceded her in death November 20th, 2011. She is also preceded in death by her second husband of 3 ½ years, James Mortimer, her parents Imogene and Glenn Salyer, and one grandchild, Kalen Bryant King.
Gail is survived by one brother, Tom Salyer (Sheila); two children, Jeanie King (Cindy), John King (Laura), Jim’s children Susan, Chris and Jeff; seven grandchildren, Deven (Erica), Tanner (Iris), Mahala, Robert, David, Chris (Carrie) and Paul; her great-grandchildren, Michael and Leia, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, and beloved friends in Salyersville and Louisville, Kentucky.
Gail was a member of Salyersville First Baptist Church and an associate member of Central Presbyterian Church in Louisville. When it became difficult to get out to go to church, she attended services at the Episcopal Church Home every Sunday.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 17 at the Salyersville First Baptist Church, with burial following at Roark Cemetery in Bradley, Kentucky. There will be a Memorial service in Louisville at Central Presbyterian Church at a later date.
The family requests that donations be made in her memory to Central Presbyterian Church’s Wednesday lunch and prayer program for local friends in need, in the Old Louisville area, in keeping with her desire to serve the less fortunate.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Magoffin County Funeral Home.
www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com
