Gayle Marie (Gannaway) Hadley, 86, of Windsor, Missouri, went home to be with her Lord Sunday morning, June 1, 2025, at the Westminster Towers Senior Living Community in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
She was born July 12, 1938 in Caplinger Mills, MO, to Clarence Wilson Gannaway and Dorothy Evelyn (Cromer) Gannaway. Gayle grew up in Caplinger Mills where she helped in the family dry goods store as a little girl. The family moved to El Dorado Springs, MO, when she was in the 8th grade. She graduated from El Dorado High School in 1956, and was the editor of the school newspaper in her senior year. She then attended Southwest Baptist College, graduating in 1958 with an associates degree. While working at the “Word and Way” Baptist newspaper in Jefferson City, MO, she met Robert Wayne Hadley. They were married on October 10, 1959. They were blessed with two children, Bruce Aaron and Susan Gaile.
While Bob attended mortuary school, Gayle worked at the Baptist Building in Dallas, Texas, doing editorial and clerical work. They returned to St. Joseph, MO, following Bob’s graduation. In 1966 Gayle and Bob purchased the Huston Funeral Home in Windsor. For over 30 years, Gayle worked alongside Bob as a funeral director, serving and caring for the community of Windsor. She played piano and sang for many funerals through the years. Ever the historian and record keeper, Gayle spent several summers walking the cemetery and making a directory of burials at Laurel Oak. She cherished employees who became like family. In her retirement, she enjoyed keeping the street and curbs of the funeral home clean.
Gayle was active in the First Baptist Church in Windsor. She served on the youth committee, led junior and youth choir, and taught various Sunday school classes. She played organ and piano, and planned Sunday evening services for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed her time leading youth choir and teaching Sunday school. Gayle’s love of music overflowed from a joyful heart, and she was never without a song to sing. Whether through song or spoken word, she had a gift for connecting with others and pointing them toward the love of Christ. A true student of God’s word, the time she spent preparing and writing lessons was reflective of her own walk with God. She worked to find creative ways to make Scripture come alive for her students. She continued to pray for those students as the years went on, with hope that God’s work would continue in their lives.
Gayle enjoyed spending time working in her yard and took great pride in organizing community beautification events in Windsor. She put together many presentations and programs with her love of history, genealogy, and storytelling. She kept a neat and tidy home, and her doors were always open to whoever needed a place to stay or simply stop by for a visit. She was never without the right words to say, and her quick wit brought laughter to others. She was a dedicated member of the Chapter BA, P.E.O. and the Henry County Chapter DAR and was honored as the SeptemberFest Woman of the Year in 2016.
She loved the beach and made several trips with her family over the years, ever expanding her collection of shells. Later in life, she found companionship in her dog Otis and cat Siva. She loved the moments spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they were the loves of her life. She used her creativity to express her love for her grandchildren through stories she wrote for them, and in turn was overjoyed to see the love of music, speaking and writing blossom in each who called her “Nana.”
In May of 2023, Gayle moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina to live near her daughter. During her time at Westminster Towers, she quickly made many friends. She faithfully attended the nightly Bible reading group, encouraging them to read Scripture out loud. She enjoyed eating lunch with a special group of ladies and encouraged and prayed with the staff and residents. As long as her health allowed, she enjoyed playing the piano in the foyer, continuing to bless others with her love of music.
Her life was exemplified by unwavering faith, joyful service, and deep compassion for others. Any expression of love, prayer, and concern she gave was a genuine overflow of the Spirit of God at work in her life. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15.
Her legacy lives on in her daughter, Susan Reese and husband David, and daughter-in-law, Sheila Hadley; 6 grandchildren: Philip and wife Lauren, Rachel and husband Caleb (CK), Caleb and wife Cassidy, Lauren and fiancé Joshua, Erin and husband Ethan, and Robb; 6 great-grandchildren: Esther, Amelia, Evelyn, Trystan, Cadence and Declan; 2 brothers: Donald Gannaway and wife Ann, and Leland Gannaway; 4 sisters-in-law: Dixie Quinn, Bonita White, Ann Hadley, Judy Hadley; numerous nieces, nephews and countless friends. In death she is reunited with her husband Bob, son Bruce, and several great-grandchildren who have not been met this side of heaven. She also is reunited with her parents and grandparents; a sister-in-law Charlene Gannaway; brothers-in-law: Ron Hadley, Bill Hadley and Jay Quinn; and many cousins.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the First Baptist Church, Windsor. The family will receive friends Monday, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor. Burial will be in the Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor. The family suggests contributions to First Baptist Church and those may be left in care of the funeral home.
“I count all things to be loss in the view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8
