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Gayle Caldwell Gaither was born March 1, 1933, in Poteau, Oklahoma, to “Doc” and Velma Caldwell, and passed from this world on April 28, 2025, at her home in Durant.
Gayle was born during the worst year of the Depression, grew up on Cavanal Hill in Poteau, and met Billy Donald Gaither in 5th grade during a snowball fight on the playground. They married shortly after graduating from Poteau High School in 1950, attended Graceland bible college in Iowa, then built a life together in Durant, finishing their education at Southeastern Oklahoma State and raising their three children.
Gayle believed we are all called to service and lived her life accordingly. She was a devoted wife and a wonderful mother. She chose a career in teaching and loved her students and colleagues at Durant High School. She enthusiastically gave of herself and supported her students in the classroom and beyond, earning runner up for Oklahoma’s Teacher of the Year.
Gayle continued working after retirement, volunteering in the community and serving as library trustee, board member of Friends of the Library, and regular contributor to Book Talk.
Gayle also loved her church family at Durant’s First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir (sort of), served as a deacon, elder, and served the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery as Student Grant Coordinator.
If you were one of the lucky people to be among Gayle’s friends, you know she was the one you wanted on your committee, at your party, or next to you at dinner. Interesting, funny, loyal, and cool all describe this powerhouse of a woman. She will be impossible to forget.
Gayle was greeted on the other side by countless friends; her husband, Billy Donald Gaither; her daughter, Dawn Little; her daughter-in-law, Cherie Gaither; her brother, Tommy Caldwell; and her nephews Tracy Caldwell and Glen Gaither. Those she left behind here on Earth include her son, Chris Gaither; daughter, Gaye Gaither; son-in-law, Brad Little; grandchildren, Kori Brinlee and Kasey Gaither; great-grandchildren, Kyson and Lukis Brinlee; niece, Keiko Wright; and nephews Steve Caldwell, Mark Gaither, Paul Gaither, and Adam Gaither.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Durant on June 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. If you would like to make a gift in memory of Gayle, she was proud and supportive of our library, and donations can be made to the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library, 1515 W. Main Street, Durant, Oklahoma 74701.
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