Gayle M Arnold

Gayle Malwitz Arnold of Homewood, 83, passed away on January 6, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents Herman J. Malwitz and Vesta Wirag Malwitz. She is survived by her husband William W. “Bill” Arnold, Jr., her daughter Katie Shockley (Steve) of Dallas, TX, her son Merritt Arnold (Amy), her grandchildren Morgan Arnold, Cameron Arnold, and Sadie Arnold of Athens, GA, her sisters Sue Edfeldt (Paul) of Vestavia Hills and Frieda Lewis (Clark) of Attalla and several nieces and nephews. Gayle was born in Cleveland, TN, and grew up in Sylacauga. She attended North Texas State University of Denton, TX and Southern Methodist University of Dallas, TX.

She moved to Birmingham in the 1950s to work for an insurance company, then at U. S. Steel and married Bill in 1964. They joined Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood in 1970. Gayle was active in the Sanctuary Choir, Trinity Singers, the Aldersgate Sunday School class, and the United Methodist Women, receiving a Special Missions Recognition for her dedicated service. She was active in the Walk to Emmaus community. Animals, especially dogs, and babies were magically drawn to her. She loved to laugh and had an adventurous spirit, which included travelling to 49 states, six Canadian provinces, and several European countries. She also worked at Trinity United Methodist Church and Amistad Mission in Birmingham.

Burial will be Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery, with visitation at Trinity United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. and memorial service at Trinity at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church.