Sharon Gayle Wallace

Sharon was well known and respected within the corporate world, but within her family world, she was affectionately known as “Aunt Gayle.” The name “Gayle,” however, was not well known to her business peers, so any nieces and nephews were promptly instructed to call her “Aunt Sharon” in front of them because “in the business world, you go by your first name.” Within this text, however, and with much explanation expected upon our own arrivals to greet her in Heaven, we will refer to her as Gayle. She was predeceased by her parents Billy Wallace and Martha House Wallace, as well as her grandparents Mr. John Wallace and Mrs. Josephine Wallace, and Mr. Scott House and Mrs. Janie House, all of Eastaboga.

She is survived by her sister, Cheryl Heard (Donald), of Eastaboga. She is also survived by nieces Chelsea Popp (Donovan), and Darby Floyd (Jarrett), both of Eastaboga; as well as nephews Brady Heard (Brittney), of Oxford, and Brandon Heard (Katy) of Madison. Others she leaves behind include many great-nieces and great-nephews of whom she considered her own grandchildren. Ms. Wallace also leaves behind her three current rescue furchildren, Sebastian, Janie, and Josephine.

Gayle was born in Eastaboga, Alabama, to Billy and Martha Wallace. She has one sister, Cheryl, who loved Gayle’s bravery honesty and who absolutely adored her.

Gayle was a 1980 Honors graduate of Walter Wellborn High School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Auburn University in 1984, with one of her proudest accomplishments being an Auburn Alumni and Honors recipient multiple times throughout her studies.

She resided in multiple cities, lastly making Nashville, TN her home.

She held multiple roles throughout her life and never shied from a challenge. She maintained a successful career as a Businesswoman, climbing the corporate ladder to a Senior Leadership position and earning the respect and admiration of many coworkers. She was a certified Master Gardener, with experience in genetic cross-pollination and cultivating some of the most beautiful creations.

She was dedicated to animal adoption, rescuing and fostering many furchildren while donating, volunteering, and advocating for shelters and societies spanning from Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. She was a modern-day Hippie and avid environmentalist, working to instill such importance of environmental awareness and conscious consumerism into her nieces and nephews. She was an advocate for multiple minority populations and small businesses, always aiming to “just do what’s right” and “buy local.”

Most namely, however, her most famous and cherished role was that of “Aunt Gayle,” and any friends of her nieces and nephews knew her the same way. She was a passionate, smart, and genuinely loved Daughter, Sister, Aunt, and Friend.

One of her favorite animal rescues was namely the National Great Pyrenees Rescue.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Animal Shelter, an Animal Rescue of your choice, or to the National Great Pyrenees Rescue in her honor.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.