Gale Banther Bartles

Gale Banther Bartles died October 13, 2025 at Country Haven Retirement Center in Ringgold, GA after a long illness.

Born on March 24, 1939, Gale was the daughter of Lorene Davis Banther and Albert J. Banther Sr, USMC, who perished in 1945. After her mother remarried Robert Anthony Smith Sr, Gale became a beloved step daughter.

One of Gale's favorite stories was of how she had been a desperately ill infant not expected to survive. But, as happened to her from time to time, Gale's toughness was underestimated. She grew up and thrived, going on to graduate from Cedartown, GA High School and graduated from Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, TN. Later, that toughness was tested again when cancer threatened her but was beaten back by 4' 10'' of pure grit and determination.

While at Southern Missionary College, Gale met Raymond "Bill" Bartles, a U.S. Air Fore veteran. They married in 1959 in Collegedale, TN. The couple moved to Graysville, near Ringgold, GA where they welcomed two children: Rex Roderic and Sheila Denise Bartles. Gale taught herself to sew when the children needed clothing by "just figuring it out." She constantly learned new crafts and tried new ideas, not satisfied with the status quo just because it was familiar.

Gale created a home daycare to serve her community and was a trusted and valued caregiver to many children, some of whom continued to stay in touch long after growing up. She was also a faithful member of the Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church for many years. Gale provided loving childcare at New Liberty Baptist Church on Wooton Road for several years as the church's child care coordinator.

Gale was "Meme" to five granddaughters; and she absolutely delighted in making all kinds of dolls, blankets, and cookies whenever any of her girls came to her house. She made Halloween costumes, formals, and toys for them. Occasionally she would make something for herself. Most often, she made things for others. Her love for her granddaughters and later her great grandson knew no bounds. Each one knew that "what happened at Meme's house, stayed at Meme's house."

Gale leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Raymond "Bill" Bartles; two children, Rex Bartles (Lisa Dixon Bartles) of Chapel Hill, NC and Sheila Hawthorne (Jerry Hawthorne) of Ringgold, GA; five granddaughters: Bonita Bartles of Athens, GA, Elizabeth Mae Hawthorne of Ringgold, GA Grace Ann Hawthorne of Manhattan, NY; 2nd Lt. Margaret Gale Bartles stationed at Columbus MS; and Diana Cress Bartles of Murfreesboro, TN. Gale leaves a great grandson, Egan Grant, of Athens, GA.

Gale leaves three siblings: Charlotte (Banther) Fillman Mccomb of Vinita, Oklahoma; Roberta Kay (Smith) Arnold also of Vinita Oklahoma, and Robert Anthony Smith, Jr, of Collegedale, TN.

Gale was preceded in death by her brother, Albert Joseph Banther, Jr of Chattanooga, TN; her mother, Lorene (Davis) Banther Smith of Collegedale, her stepfather, Robert Anthony Smith, Sr, of Collegedale, and her father, Albert J. Banther, Sr. of Cedartown.

The family requests that all contributions/donations be made to Country Haven Retirement Center in Ringgold, Georgia.

The family is being cared for by Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 4-7 p.m.. Graveside service will be at Collegedale Memorial Park, on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 1 p.m..