Gail Royal’s battle is over. She passed into paradise Friday at age 74.

Gail owned and operated ‘Gail’s Down the Street’ since 1993, a popular Montgomery meat-and-three and political lunch bunch.

In addition to serving old-fashioned Southern soul food, Gail served up food for the soul. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of Alabama people were helped by her smile, spirit and Christian words of comfort. Gail was a walking, talking witness for Christ in word and in deed.

Since her diagnosis of breast cancer last year, Gail fought dehydration, clots, meningitis, sepsis, seizure, heart failure and multiple infections.

What did Gail Royal die of?  She would say, “God’s own timing.”

Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler is a freelance writer about the colorful and positive in Alabama — her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor. You can reach him with your comments at [email protected].