Obituary: Gail Elaine Woodward

Gail Elaine Woodward, 76, went peacefully to be with the Lord at her home in Junction on January 22, 2026, with her devoted husband of 33 years, Caven, by her side. She was born on November 5, 1949 to William Henry Riley and Orlean Senne Riley in Del Rio, Texas. She grew up in Brackettville alongside her sister Sandi, with a humble and close-knit family, in a home built in the late 1800’s by her great grandfather. Gail was a tomboy at heart and enjoyed spending time on her Aunt Virginia and Uncle Gordon Lackey’s ranch as a girl, riding horses, raising show sheep, and helping with ranch work. A graduate of Brackett High, class of 1967, she’s remembered as a beautiful and outgoing student who excelled at tennis, twirling, basketball, and as drum major.

She met and married her first husband, Charlie Morgan Starks, after high school and settled into ranch life on the Postell Ranch off Tularosa Road in Kinney County. Gail had her daughter Dee Dee soon after, and in addition to being a ranch wife and mother, got her beautician license and opened a thriving beauty salon with her sister in Brackett. By 1972 she had her second child, Stormy, and the family moved to Newgulf where Charlie was promoted to manager of all Brown and Root’s ranching operations in Texas. She was the quintessential full-time mother, sewing her children's clothes, cooking, canning, volunteering as cub and girl scout leader, and entertaining friends and family with visits over cups of coffee or games of bridge at her well decorated home.

By the late seventies, she decided to challenge herself by continuing her education and entering the workforce. With her grit and determination, she rose from working as a teller at Community State Bank in Boling in 1978 to becoming Vice President by 1980, at a time when women in executive roles were rare. She served as chairperson on many committees with the National Association of Bank Women and served as President for one year. All while remaining a supportive mom, she was involved in several community groups including the Boling Little League Association, serving on the board for 10 years and leading fundraising efforts, as well as the Philomathian Club, where she held the Presidency for two years. In 1985 the family moved to Uvalde where she took a job at NBC, later Nations Bank. Charlie fell ill and passed away in 1986, but she continued working and made many new friends until she found lasting love in rancher, Caven Woodward. In 1993, they married and moved to the ranch in Junction. She loved being in the country again and found community in Junction. Being a lifelong Episcopalian, she was happy to find a wonderful church home in Trinity Episcopal Church, where she became President of the Women's Guild, as well as serving on the Kimble County Library board for several years.

One of the main highlights of her life was spending time with her two granddaughters. She loved hosting them at the ranch, at their Lake Buchanan home, and at the beach, where she enjoyed cooking, fishing, boating, riding 4-wheelers, or simply visiting with the girls. Time at Gigi and Cav’s was like the ultimate summer camp. As the girls grew up, Gigi rarely missed a dance recital, school event, sports game, or rodeo. Always dressed to the nines, she’d be sitting on the front row with a video camera in one hand, a fist pump of pride in the other, and a big smile watching them perform. She was especially delighted to welcome her precious great grandson West, Morgan's baby, into the family last August. Gail lived her life as a true lady; stylish and smart, caring and tough. Glamorous yet down to earth. She loved God, her husband, her family, her friends, her numerous special pets through the years, places by the water, wildflowers, and life.

Preceding her in death along with her parents and her husband, Charlie; were her beloved niece, Krysti Gail Schubach and sister, Sandra Ann Schubach. She is survived by her husband, Caven Bishop Woodward; son, William Herman “Stormy” Starks and wife Laura of Wharton; daughter, Dee Dee Starks-Brown; granddaughters, Gage Dunbar Brown, Morgan Elaine Brown and great-grandson, West Charles of Brackettville; nephew, Troy Schubach and wife Melanie; great-nieces, Callie and Bailey Schubach of Wharton; brothers-in-law, AJ Schubach of Boling and Jim Woodward of Uvalde; along with many dear friends and extended family members. Special thanks and gratitude to her caregivers with New Century Hospice of Kerrville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Kimble Funeral Home, 1010 College St, Junction, with Rev. Samuel A. Hunnicutt of Trinity Episcopal Church of Junction officiating. Interment will follow at the Junction City Cemetery. The family cordially invites you to a reception in the Trinity Episcopal Parish Hall following services. They will greet guests there. Pallbearers are Cole Holland, Asa Holland, Bill Jacob, Alvin Hall Jr., Matt Phillips and Trey LaBorde. Honorary Pallbearers are Allen Dale Ferrell, Frank Reina Sr., Larry Hill and Michael Parker. Memorial contributions may be made to: Trinity Episcopal Church, PO Box 3, Junction, TX 76849. Services with integrity, pride, and honor are under the direction of Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076