Freida Gayle Johnson

Gayle Johnson, age 83, of Moore, Oklahoma, passed away on November 19, 2025. Born on October 3, 1942, in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma, to Walter Bryan and Edna Blanche Gardenhire
Jesus was the center of Gayle's life-her guiding light, her comfort, and her joy. She poured herself into nurturing, loving, and supporting her family throughout their lives. A devoted member of Southgate Baptist Church since 1964, she shared her love for the Lord through worship, fellowship, and more than 40 years as a 4th grade girls Sunday school teacher, guiding generations with wisdom, kindness, and faith. One of her greatest passions in life was to study the word of God.
Gayle attended Elmore city high school where her life was full of energy, talent, and creativity. She was drum major and played the clarinet. She loved roller skating-a passion nurtured when her parents owned a skating rink in Wynnewood-and brought joy to everyone who watched her dance across the floor. She loved her Thunder and OU Sooners fiercely, always cheering with all her heart. Gayle also had a lifelong love of sewing, especially creating beautiful, award-winning clothing for her children and grandchildren.
She enjoyed a long career with York International, where she was admired for her work ethic, kindness, and warm spirit.
Gayle married the love of her life, Billy Reford Johnson, on September 13, 1958. Together they shared 55 years of devotion, laughter, and love, building a beautiful life filled with cherished memories. Reford passed away in 2013, but their deep bond and the joy they shared remain forever in the hearts of their family.
Gayle is survived by her children, Yancy Van Johnson of Moore, Oklahoma, and Valerie Jo Summers and her husband Noel Summers of Moore, Oklahoma; her grandchildren: Savannah Roberts and her husband Richard Roberts, Amanda Avey and her husband James Ian Avey, Hannah Hartshorn and her husband Shaden Hartshorn, Micah McCartney and her husband Lucas McCartney, Victoria Johnson, and Heather Ketchum and her husband Tommy Ketchum III; and her great-grandchildren: Joseph, Hayden, Anna, Journey, Simeon, Ryder, Marley, Indy, Shiloh, Elijah, Valley, Josslyn, Lawson, Kelly, Gary, Grant, and Grayson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Reford Johnson; her parents, Walter Bryan and Edna Blanche Gardenhire; and her brothers, Hugh and Wiley Gardenhire.
A public viewing will be held at John Ireland Funeral Home in Moore on Monday, November 24, from 5:00–7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held at Southgate Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 25, at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Doug Brewer officiating. Burial will follow at Moore Cemetery.
Gayle's life was a testament to her love for Jesus, and her family and friends will always remember her warmth, faith, and the joy she brought to everyone she met.
A special thanks to Genia, Brenda, Elise, Trevor, Coatney, Sandra, Emily, Dawn, Courtney and the rest of the Trinity Hospice team for their overwhelming support, care, and generosity.
**VISITATION WILL BE HELD FROM 4:00-8:00 PM, ON MONDAY, NOVEMBE 24, 2025, AT THE JOHN M. IRELAND FUNERAL HOME, 120 SOUTH BROADWAY, AVE., IN MOORE, WITH THE FAMILY RECEIVING GUESTS FROM THE HOURS OF 5:00-7:00 PM, FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 2:00 PM, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2025, AT SOUTHGATE BAPTIST CHURCH, LOCATED AT 740 SW 4TH STREET, IN MOORE. INTERMENT TO FOLLOW AT MOORE CEMETERY, 800 SW 4TH STREET, MOORE.