Gayla Lynn Gregory

Gayla Lynn Gregory, 53, of Clarksville formerly of Alma took her final flight into the arms of the Lord on August 31, 2010. Gayla was born on August 27, 1957 in Alma, Arkansas. Gayla was a 1975 graduate of Alma High School, and a 1977 graduate of Westark Community College with an associate degree in Applied Science. She began her career at Sparks Regional Medical Center May 15, 1977, she also became an instructor for the EMT/Paramedic program at Westark Community College, she then signed on with Air-Evac as a flight medic. She was a member of Goddard Methodist Church and she was currently attending Hedgeway Church in Clarksville. Her joy and passion for living life as well as saving lives was evident. Her exuberant humor, compassion, and tenacity were apparent to anyone’s whose life she touched. Her legacy of graciousness and devotion will continue for many years to come. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, James R. and Doris Gregory; one sister, Barbara Lee McRae, and a nephew, Dane Gregory. She is survived by the son of her heart, Tanner Mathis of Fort Smith, AR; her companion, Deanna Yates of the home; three sisters, Inez Nance of Alma, AR, Donita Burnett and her husband Hank of Mulberry, AR, and Tammy Woodard of Clarksville, AR; one brother, Robert Gregory of Kibler, AR; 10 nieces and nephews; 7 great nieces and great nephews; as well as Deanna’s family in the Coal Hill area. Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at Butterfield Assembly of God Church in Van Buren, with burial at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home in Van Buren. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Butterfield Assembly of God Church, 1302 North 30th Street in Van Buren. Pallbearers will be Lyndle Thacker, Allyson Gentry, Tom Gentry, Matthew Callahan, Rick Rauser, and Randy Cockrum, Mike Smith, and Mike Helms. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Gregory, Timmy Gregory, Nathan Yates, Brent Yates, Shyloh Yates, Dee Yates, Ray Green, B.J. Johnson, Dorothea McKinney, Hank Burnett, Jimmy Acklin, Air Evac 22 Paris, AR, Air Evac 73 DeQueen, AR, Air Evac 4 Springdale, AR, and Air Evac 30 Vilonia, AR. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gayla Gregory Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1301 Hickory Circle, West Memphis, AR 72301, Phone # 1-870-557-2843, or www.arkemsfoundation.org.