Vernetta Gales

Vernetta Gales, 86, a resident of Cape Coral, formerly of Toledo, OH, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cape Coral.  She was born July 22, 1938, in Eastman, GA. to Theopolus and Hattie Bell Nelson, now deceased.  What a gift she gave her parents.  She was born on her father’s birthday.

Vernetta (Neat) was a great basketball player at Peabody High School, Eastman, GA.  Her talent made her a popular student.  She graduated from Peabody High School in 1957. Vernetta moved to Rochester, New York to seek employment.  She was employed by Eastman Kodak Company.  She met the love of her life Nathaniel Gales after dating 6 months.  Later they were married on July 19, 1958. Their commitment lasted 60 years.  Vernetta retired from the State of Ohio, Department of Youth Services as a Youth Correctional Supervisor Officer.  The Gales pastored in NY, AL, ministered in OH and founded Capital City Church of God in 1985. She had church families in New York, Ohio, Alabama, Pennsylvania and headquarters in Indiana. Vernetta and Nathaniel retired in Cape Coral, Florida in 1987.  She fellowshipped at My Water’s Edge Church in Cape Coral. Once she became home bound, she became a virtual member of her former church, First Church of God in Toledo, Ohio. Until her death, she stayed in contact with many of the people in Montgomery, AL who were at both churches, Rosa Parks (Cleveland Ave COG) and Capital City COG.

She is survived by her sister, Magnolia Jenkins (William) of Ecorse, MI; sister-in-law, Lonnie Nelson of Hawkinsville, GA; half-sisters, Carolyn Wallace of Cincinnati, OH; Patricia Williams (David) of Cincinnati, OH; Bernadette Woodson of Burbank, CA; Theresa Hill of Cincinnati, OH; Martita Nelson of Bedford, TX; half-brothers, Theopolus Nelson (Doris) of Cincinnati, OH; Richard Folden (Carolyn) of Cincinnati, OH; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends including Linda McDonald, Clarissa Cobb-Fritz, Jackie Rentz and devoted neighbors; Kathy & Rudy Budnick and Tonja & Kevin Caldwell.

Vernetta was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel Gales in 2019 and three siblings, Annie Ruth Dupree, Elaine Adam, and Arthur Nelson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at My Water’s Edge Church in Cape Coral, Florida, 2213 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33990, A memorial service will also be held in Toledo, Ohio at a later date.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Vernetta Gales are suggested to My Water’s Edge Church, Cape Coral & First Church of God, Toledo, Ohio.

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.