Leilani Warren

Gayle

Leilani Warren Gayle, 79, of Thomasville, GA passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at her residence, surrounded by family and friends, having lived a beautiful life. A Memorial Service for Leilani (Lani) will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Thomasville, GA on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2 pm.  Brother Richard Orr will officiate and all are invited to attend. Leilani loved that she was a leap year baby, having been born on February 29, 1944, even if birth certificates and Social Security read February 28th. Leilani was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and lived there and in Japan during most of her younger years. Leilani met and fell in love with Andrew Gayle in Montgomery, Alabama. They married on April 2, 1966 and would remain life long partners for the next 58 years. Over the next few years, they had 2 boys, Rees and then Scott. Leilani loved being surrounded by her 2 boys, and later 3 grandsons, and she was adored by them. A special point in their lives came when Leilani and her husband were baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in Montgomery, AL in April of 1971.  They spent the early part of their married life moving to different places, but finally settled down in the Grady/Thomas county area in 1982. Leilani was employed and retired from her position in the Medical Records Department of Archbold after 27 years. Having been born and raised in Hawaii, people often asked her to show them a native hula dance, which she gladly did. She loved the outdoors, the mountains, and the beach. Her yard was her work of art; her plants and grass, her babies.  As they moved from place to place, she had her boys dig up her monkey grass so she could replant it at her new home. Enjoying Jehovah's creation is where she loved to be. Survivors include: her husband, Andrew Gayle of Thomasville, GA, children, Rees Gayle (Shelly) of Whigham, GA and Scott Gayle of Thomasville, GA; grandchildren, Gregory Gayle of Whigham, GA, Jason Gayle of Lynnwood, WA, and Logan Gayle of Whigham, GA; a niece and nephew, Cher and Jason Speegle.  She was proceeded in death by her parents, Ernest and Rachel Speegle and her brother, David Speegle. The family will receive friends at the home of Rees and Shelly Gayle in Whigham on Saturday, October 7th, after the memorial service.