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Dothan, Alabama

NORMAN GAYLE Obituary

Norman Winn Gayle Norman Winn Gayle, junior, 86, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, residing in Dothan, Alabama, died on November 15, 2012. Funeral services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 19, 2012, with The Reverend Ede Plovanich officiating. A second service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Montgomery on the same day at 2:00 p.m. with The Reverend John C. Coleman officiating. Visitation will be in Ascension Hall at 1:00 p.m., one hour prior to the funeral. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with the Reverend John Michael van Dyke of Christchurch, an Anglican Church in North America, officiating and Southern Heritage Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, Aid To Inmate Mothers (AIM) P.O.Box 986, Montgomery, Alabama 36101-0986 or to the charity of your choice. Mr. Gayle was born in Montgomery where he attended Sidney Lanier High School before enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After his service he attended The University of Alabama and later married Patricia Reese Dunn of Montgomery to whom he was married for 43 years until her death in 1993. He retired from a career in insurance; however, he never retired from maintaining old friendships and accumulating new ones. Mr. Gayle relocated to Dothan in 2005 where he lived until his death. He was an active member of Christchurch, an Anglican Church in North America, The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Montgomery and The Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan. Mr. Gayle was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Reese Dunn Gayle. He is survived by his two sisters, Merrily Gayle Seawell of Montgomery and Gerry Gayle Hails of Macon, Georgia and a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Lyerly Dunn of Montgomery. He is also survived by his three children Patricia Gayle Seay (Jimmy) of Montgomery, Norman Winn Gayle III of New York City, and David Dunn Gayle (Sigrid) of Dothan; granddaughters Jennifer Gayle Chapman (Scott) and Ann Seay Adams (Nicholas), both of Birmingham; grandsons James Henry Seay III (Mabs) of Tuscaloosa, Michael Winn Gayle of Birmingham, and Norman Winn Gayle Seay of Montgomery; and great grandchildren Andrew Grayson Chapman and Isabel Reese Adams. Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, (334) 702-1712, is in charge of arrangements. www.southernheritagefh.com Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com.
Published by Dothan Eagle on Nov. 17, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for NORMAN GAYLE

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Judy Payne

November 26, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Heaven has gained a resident that will change Heaven forever! My first encounter with Norman was 39 years ago when I took a phone message for my boss. Norman became a wonderful friend over the years - one who touched many, many lives. One who set a wonderful example of God's love. I'll miss you, Norman. Judy

November 25, 2012

Lots of love and prayers to all of the Gayle family. A lot of fond memories growing up with him. Dee Culverhouse Smith

November 25, 2012

What a bright spot Mr. Gayles room was on hall 7, Extendicare! We will miss him. Johnny and Joyce Johnson

Suzy Adams

November 22, 2012

My heart goes out to Big Norman's family. He was an absolute amazing, wonderful man to be around. Never at a lack for words or giving you reason to smile. May God bless you with His perfect peace and rejoice in knowing he is in the Lord's hands and reunited with the love of his life. He would want you all to embrace sweet memories and rejoice in a life lived to the fullest! To know Big Norman was to absolutely adore him.

Bernard and Linda Smitherman

November 19, 2012

It is with great sadness in our hearts to lose someone we have grown to love and call a member of our personal family. I met Mr Gayle (Norman) when I started singing karaoke at the Extendicare Nursing/Rehab facility back in 2009. I remember his flag flying from his wheelchair and his meet no stranger disposition toward my friend that was singing with me at the time and myself. When Linda started singing with me a couple of years ago she fell in love with him as well. I will forever sing your song with you in my heart; "You Will Never Walk Alone". RIP my dear sweet friend. We Love You!!

Minna Hill

November 19, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you all, Patricia.

Helen Johnson

November 18, 2012

I am very saddened to learn of the death of a very dear friend. Norman was a friend to me when friends counted. I will always remember his kindness.

Jody Peek

November 18, 2012

Norman I am sorry for your loss. I remember us growing up around your Dad. Big Norman was a good man.--Jody Peek.

November 18, 2012

Trish, we're saddened this morning to read of Norman's passing. He was such a good neighbor to us - missed him so much after his move to Dothan. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with you and your family.

Peace,
Pat and Buddy Dennis, Biltmore Lake, NC

Jan West Wright

November 18, 2012

David, I am so sorry for your loss and for the loss of all of us whose lives "Big Nawman" touched. He was a truly southern gentleman and will be greatly missed. I know that he and you're Mother are enjoying their reunion in heaven. I have a scrapbook full of pictures with Norman in it where he played Santa for us at Palomar for Christmas. Let me know if you'd like copies of any (I'm back at Palomar in the Troy office) .

Connie Shaw

November 18, 2012

To the family of Norman,
Norm, will be missed greatly! He was a man that could make you smile! He always looked for a way to help someone else. He is a man to be proud of! My prayers and thoughts are with you.

November 18, 2012

To the family of Norman, He was a man who had a generous heart, a smile that washed away the sadness, and the wisdom of the years that he gladly passed on to others. Norman you will be missed greatly!
Connie F. Shaw
Homosassa, FL

Donna Davis

November 17, 2012

My heartfelt condolences and true sorrow go out to my friend, Patricia, and her family. "Mr. Norman" will be missed. He was a big fellow with a big heart and a kind spirit. The world seems a little smaller and quieter without him. R.I.P., Norman Gayle.

barbara blumenfeld

November 17, 2012

david and sigrid, our thoughts and prayers are with you now. fondly barbara and jack

Randolph Lambert

November 17, 2012

Mr Norman was a dear friend for many years.

Sandy Anderson

November 17, 2012

Mr. Gayle was such a blessing to me everytime I got to visit with him at Extendicare. I will miss him but know Heaven is rejoicing and having a good time with him up there.

David and Amy Dunn

November 17, 2012

A man who itemized Will Rogers' axiom that he never met a man he didn't like, "Big" Norman was bigger than life with an absolutely infectious Joie de Vivre. He remains an iconic figure for those who were fortunate to know him- and that included a huge fan base - in fact virtually everyone who came in contact with this sweet and loving man.

Peggy Merrill

November 17, 2012

David and Sigrid, Joe and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. May God hold your hand through yet another sad time . You both are in our thoughts and prayers. Peggy and Joe Merrill

Robin Stark

November 17, 2012

Even though "Big" Norman had been in Dothan a long time,his presence never left the Church of the Ascension !!!
My love, condolences, and heartfelt prayers for his entire family...

Nancy Dobbs

November 17, 2012

One of the finest men I ever knew. A true friend. He will be greatly missed.

November 17, 2012

From all the hall 7 cna's and nurses.

November 17, 2012

Mr. Gayle it won't be the same without you here at extendicare. Gonna miss hearing your silly jokes. May u rest in peace!

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results

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