Theresa Gayle McCrary

Gayle McCrary returned to her heavenly home on December 3, 2024, surrounded by love and her family. Born at home as the fifth of six children in Arnaudville, LA to Helen Lastrapes Mistric and Alcee Mistric, her life was disrupted when she was sent to stay with relatives upon the untimely passing of her father (a move that was intended to be temporary). However, when the promise of better opportunities beckoned in Houston, Helen “Pey” and TL Miller relocated there, taking 13-year-old Gayle with them.

Pey and TL treated Gayle as their own, putting her through parochial school, and Pey would even sew all her prom dresses by hand. At St Pius High School, she made many lifetime friends, and always enjoyed those reunions immensely! One night, on a bowling date with another young man, she caught the eye of an earnest young student by the name of Lloyd McCrary from Sam Houston High School. Gayle and Lloyd began dating, and when Gayle completed her studies at Sacred Heart College, (majoring in English with a minor in Art), and when Lloyd completed his masters, they got married on December 28, 1962.

They then relocated to Lake Jackson, Texas along with others of the “chemistry crew”, with Lloyd going to work for Dow Chemical. Gayle and Lloyd joyfully welcomed their daughters; Monica Lynn in 1964 and Karin Sue in 1965. They raised their family in Lake Jackson, making many dear friends. Gayle was especially grateful for her “sister friends”. Gayle taught English for many years at Brazosport High School and Brazosport College and was a very talented artist as well, filling her home with beautiful pen-and-ink drawings, watercolors and oil paintings. She was active in her parish at St. Michael’s Church in Lake Jackson and Junior Service League. Gayle enjoyed shopping and antiquing with her many girlfriends, and played bridge (mostly for the opportunity to socialize and make new friends!). When Lloyd’s job opportunities took them first to Chicago, IL and then to Louisville, KY Gayle jumped into the community there, joining Newcomers club and PEO, and making many more dear friends. When the opportunity came to relocate to Texas and join some of their close friends in Bentwater, they jumped at the chance and retired there and spent many more happy years.

Gayle was a member of The Antiques Club at Bentwater and Altar Society at St Mary’s, until poor health prevented her from participating. However, where Gayle shined the brightest was in her warm Southern hospitality. She was an amazing cook, (particularly shining in Cajun specialties) and always went out of her way to make all who came to her home feel comfortable and welcomed.

Gayle is preceded in death by her parents Alcee and Helen Mistric, and her brothers “Jingle”, “Buddy”, and Charlie Mistric.

Gayle is survived by her loving husband of 62 years Lloyd McCrary, her daughters Monica McCrary (Slegers) and Karin Miller, grandchildren Joshua Miller, Caleb Miller, Noah Miller, Savannah Gayle Slegers, and Travis Slegers, brother Johnny Mistric and sister Phyllis Wolter.

Gayle was a bright light, and the world is a little dimmer without her in it!

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s in Plantersville, Texas on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 10:30AM, with a burial to follow at 3:30pm at Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park 13747 Easter Fwy Houston, Texas.