Mrs. Gayle J. Martin, 97, of Gadsden passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2018 at First United Methodist Church Gadsden with burial to follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Rev. Harvey Beck will officiate.
Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services will direct.
Gayle graduated from Ivor High School in Ivor, Virginia and then attended Southern Union College in Wadley, AL where she met the love of her life, Ludger D. Martin. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Piedmont College, Demorest Georgia. She served as a teacher and administrative assistant for 14 years at Episcopal Day School in Gadsden, Alabama.
Having a sincere love of music and having studied piano in her pre-college days, she decided to change careers in midlife studying music at Gadsden State College with Mr. George McSpadden and then Jacksonville State University with Dr. Susie F. Dempsey and Dr. Ron Surace where she received the Masters of Arts degree in Music Education. She taught for a brief time in the Department of Music at JSU following her graduation. Gayle was passionate about music and was generous in sharing her talents as Choir Director at Central Methodist Church, Gadsden, Alabama for 10 years. She was also a very active member of the Gadsden Federated Music Club serving as President and as well as in other capacities to include musical presentations and performances.
She was an active member of the Alabama Music Teachers Association (affiliated with MTNA) serving as State Treasurer for 4 years as well as being a judge for many District Piano Auditions throughout the state. In 2009 she received special recognition from AMTA for her service and dedication not only to her students but also to the organization with an Honorary Membership in AMTA. Gayle was a lifelong member of Delta Omicron, International Music Fraternity and was dedicated to the teaching and learning of music.
Gayle was preceded in death by her husband, Ludger Martin and son, Charles Martin.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Nancy Martin; grand-daughters, Jennifer (John) Troncale; Leslie (Keith) Gammon and Kelly (Malcolm) Meadows; Great Grandchildren, Lilly, Charlie and Nicholas Troncale, Tavie and Martin Gammon, Addy and Hannah Meadows.
Pallbearers will be John Troncale, Keith Gammon, Malcolm Meadows, Sam Puckett, Jimmy Boone and Wayne Dempsey.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Mrs. Martin’s memory to, First United Methodist Church Gadsden, 115 S 5th Street, Gadsden, AL 35901.
The family will receive friends at the church Monday from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m.
