Obituary for Anthony Gayles
The Legacy of Life
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Frost
BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, UNCLE,
COUSIN, BROTHER-IN-LAW, FRIEND AND A SERVANT OF GOD
MR. ANTHONY (TONY) GAYLES was a native and lifelong member of the historic Down the Bay Community. He was born on Sunday, August 25, 1935, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Zackery (Velma Hall) Gayles. He exchanged time for eternity on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents and loving brother, Craig Henry Gayles.
Anthony was christened and baptized at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He served his country faithfully as a United States Marine from 1953 to 1956. He also was one of the last six members of the Creole Fire Station and later retired from the Mobile Fire Department (Station 23). After retirement, he was an employee of Fort Conde.
Anthony was educated in the Mobile County Public School System. He attended Emerson Elementary School, Dunbar Junior High School and the historic Central High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1953. While attending Central, Anthony became a member of the Twenty and One Service Club.
In 1958, Anthony Gayles married Myrtle Alexander at Hope Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. To this union was born three daughters and one son. Tony will be remembered for his love of family, friends and church.
Lamenting his transition but cherishing his memories are a devoted wife of sixty-three years, Myrtle Alexander Gayles; loving children, Phyllis (Leonard) Cotton, Wanda (Gary) Dumas, Antony Michael (Sherry) Gayles and Veronica Gayles Collins; six grandchildren, Secily Dumas, Ryan Dumas, Anthony Gayles, Zechary Gayles, Brenton Gayles and Shelby Michael Collins; four sisters-in-law, Geneva Gayles Ponzetta (Arthur) Johnson, Ruth E. Waugh and Claudette Cole; four brothers-in-law, Norwood Alexander, James (Daisy) Alexander, Lebarron (Sonya) Alexander and Steve Alexander; a host of nieces and nephews, three devoted, Denise Finch Johnson, Gia Gayles and Spencer Gayles; two cousins, Michael Hall and Gail Henninburg; six special friends, Carl Leo Gayle, Ruth McCall, Govan Thomas and Valena Withers McCants, Thomas Withers, Charles Green; and other relatives and friends.
“MAY HE REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY”
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Frost
BELOVED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, UNCLE,
COUSIN, BROTHER-IN-LAW, FRIEND AND A SERVANT OF GOD
MR. ANTHONY (TONY) GAYLES was a native and lifelong member of the historic Down the Bay Community. He was born on Sunday, August 25, 1935, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Zackery (Velma Hall) Gayles. He exchanged time for eternity on Thursday, January 20, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents and loving brother, Craig Henry Gayles.
Anthony was christened and baptized at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He served his country faithfully as a United States Marine from 1953 to 1956. He also was one of the last six members of the Creole Fire Station and later retired from the Mobile Fire Department (Station 23). After retirement, he was an employee of Fort Conde.
Anthony was educated in the Mobile County Public School System. He attended Emerson Elementary School, Dunbar Junior High School and the historic Central High School, where he was a member of the Class of 1953. While attending Central, Anthony became a member of the Twenty and One Service Club.
In 1958, Anthony Gayles married Myrtle Alexander at Hope Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. To this union was born three daughters and one son. Tony will be remembered for his love of family, friends and church.
Lamenting his transition but cherishing his memories are a devoted wife of sixty-three years, Myrtle Alexander Gayles; loving children, Phyllis (Leonard) Cotton, Wanda (Gary) Dumas, Antony Michael (Sherry) Gayles and Veronica Gayles Collins; six grandchildren, Secily Dumas, Ryan Dumas, Anthony Gayles, Zechary Gayles, Brenton Gayles and Shelby Michael Collins; four sisters-in-law, Geneva Gayles Ponzetta (Arthur) Johnson, Ruth E. Waugh and Claudette Cole; four brothers-in-law, Norwood Alexander, James (Daisy) Alexander, Lebarron (Sonya) Alexander and Steve Alexander; a host of nieces and nephews, three devoted, Denise Finch Johnson, Gia Gayles and Spencer Gayles; two cousins, Michael Hall and Gail Henninburg; six special friends, Carl Leo Gayle, Ruth McCall, Govan Thomas and Valena Withers McCants, Thomas Withers, Charles Green; and other relatives and friends.
“MAY HE REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY”