 | ||||||
| From L to R: Grandma Ruby, Wanda & Aunt Gayle |
Josh's Aunt Gayle was a special woman. Strong. Independent. Stubborn. Loyal. Loving. When she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, doctors didn't give her a lot of positive hope. But she dug in her heels and fought a long, courageous battle. She lived longer than most anticipated, leaving us to joke that Jesus had a few things to get in order in Heaven before he could deal with her! I was so blessed to know Gayle. From day one, she treated me a like a daughter. She and Ronnie made the long drive to Charlotte with us many times when we were seeking custody of Ian and rejoiced with a celebration when we finally got to bring him home. Every time Ian went down to her house to go fishing with Ronnie, she would buy all of his favorite treats. She put her own good name on the line to help Josh get the job at Blue Eagle when the company he was working for closed. She believed in him and every step he has taken in his career and the success he enjoys, he owes to her. She loved to hear stories about Will's antics--his adventurous spirit and his stubborn streak. She could appreciate his desire to be tough and strong because those were things she valued in herself. And when Mags was born, she was thrilled! Especially since her Maggie Kate got her middle name from Gayle's mother, Katie. She really meant the world to us and life just won't be the same without her.
I was truly honored when Wanda asked me to give the family remarks at Gayle's funeral. And because several people have asked for me to post, I have included my remarks here:
Gayle will
be missed by all of us—because she was simply an extraordinary woman who was an
exceptional wife, mother, sister, aunt, colleague and friend. I was fortunate enough to marry into Gayle’s
family. My Mother in law was Gayle’s niece and it is through Wanda’s eyes that
I tell you Gayle’s story.
Gayle was
born in Jonesville to Claude and Katie Petty. She was the baby in her family.
In fact, because she was only 12 years older than Wanda, she was much more like
a sister than an aunt. She always called Wanda the daughter she never had. From
the time Wanda was born, Gayle was there, helping with her, and helping to keep
her sister Ruby company while Truman worked nights. Ruby was afraid to be alone
at night—but not Gayle. She wasn’t afraid
of anyone or anything, except maybe spiders. Gayle went along on family
vacations and her constant presence made a formative impact on Wanda. She
always admired Gayle’s beauty—her gorgeous red hair and perfectly done makeup.
She often propped Wanda up on her vanity and did her face up with make-up—fake
eyelashes and all—often to the dismay of her sister Ruby! Ruby would always
tell Wanda that she was going to grow up to be just like Gayle and Wanda simply
couldn’t imagine growing up to be any other way. And Why not? Who wouldn’t want
to grow up to be a strong, vibrant and independent woman like Gayle?
Gayle was a
professional woman, serving as a purchasing agent for Roebuck Builders for more
than 25 years. She was beloved by everyone who worked with her because she
prided herself in doing her job well and doing it right. She wasn’t afraid to
speak her mind and everyone appreciated her honesty and her integrity. But
where Gayle flourished most was in the home. From Gayle, Wanda learned about
all about fine food and decorating. She could make a meal that was as down home
as Paula Dean and as gourmet as Julia Child. None of us will ever forget the
Christmas she had us all down to her house for dinner. She prepared the most
gorgeous prime rib that we had ever seen. But as she was taking it from the
oven, the meat promptly fell on the floor. Every single one of us devoured that
prime rib like it was the last meal we were ever going to get---because her
cooking was THAT good!
The only skill that Wanda had that Gayle did not was a
green thumb. And over the years, Wanda tried to teach her a few things about
gardening. When Gayle got sick, her friend Margie gave her a beautiful orchid.
Gayle gave the orchid love and attention and it thrived—or so she
thought—everyone who came to visit would comment on how beautiful the orchid
was and Gayle was so very proud that she had managed to help this beautiful
flower grow. Weeks later, Margie came to visit Ronnie in the hospital and Gayle
simply couldn’t wait to tell her the success story of the orchid—a vibrant
beauty that adorned the window sill, soaking up the sun and love from Gayle.
After going on and on, Margie got a twinkle in her eye and broke the news to
Gayle that the orchid was fake! Gayle really got a good laugh from that,
especially when she needed it most.
Gayle has
many legacies. She means something special to each of us. But her greatest
legacy is that as a devoted wife and mother.
Married to Ronnie for 51 years, he was truly the love of her life and she
always prided herself in her ability to care for him. Her son Todd,
already with her in Heaven, was her entire life, the very breath that she
breathed. Because of the love given to Todd by Ronnie and Gayle, Todd lived a
tremendously impactful life, devoting himself to work at the Deaf and Blind
School and touching the lives of every single person that he met. His life was a testament to the lives of his
parents and while we find solace in knowing that they are reunited in Heaven,
we know that we will miss them both so very much.
For Wanda,
Ronnie and Gayle have always been such an integral part of who she is—from her
wedding and marriage to Kevin, the births of Josh and Heather, each milestone
they accomplished, their weddings, and
the births of their children. Gayle always said that Wanda’s children were her
children and the grandchildren were her grandchildren. In fact, when Gayle was
sick, she would ask Wanda to tell her all about the grandchildren—the funny
things the Jackson boys were saying or have Wanda read the latest adventure
from the Burgess Bunch. Their happiness brought her peace and comfort because
she loved those babies so much and they truly loved her. She was such an
important part of who we are as a family and the void left by her absence can never be filled.
And while we
know Gayle would appreciate this outpouring of love for her life, she would
want to thank the many people who cared for she and Ronnie while she was sick.
Her best friend Billie, her cousins Ruth, Perry & Pat, her favorite nephew
Danny, her friends Sandra, Mary Ruth, Mike, Hazel & Steve. Her devoted
sister Ruby. The people of Hospice took such good care of her and we cannot
thank them enough for the love they gave her in her final days.
You know,
for many, death feels like a very final stage. An ending. The final chapter in a
book of life. But Gayle knew differently. She knew that when her journey on
Earth was finished, it was really just a beginning--The time when she got to
reunite with her parents, Todd, and her risen Savior, Jesus.
