Gayle Ann Ray July 5, 1939 - December 29, 2023

Gayle Ann Austin Ray, age 84, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at her home in Yukon, OK, surrounded by her husband and children.

Gayle was born on July 5, 1939, to Charles and Ora Belle Austin in Mangum, OK. She attended Mangum High school where she met and dated her future husband, Mernie. Gayle graduated in 1957, went to college at Abilene Christian in Texas for a year, them returned home to Mangum and married her high school sweetheart in 1959. Shortly after, they moved to Oklahoma City where Gayle worked for Southwestern Bell for 7 years and Mernie worked for the National Guard. They went on to have three children, Janna, Debbie, and David before moving to Ada in 1970.

Gayle enjoyed sewing. She made a lot of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children. She also enjoyed cooking, baking, and working crossword puzzles. Gayle had a very soft heart for animals, especially cats, and had a hard time saying no every time the kids brought one home.

She was active in the church, providing meals when needed and teaching Bible class for the young children for many years.

Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ora Belle Austin, and her beloved brother Wayne, who died of leukemia at age 4.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Mernie; their three children, Janna Pirtle and husband Geoff of Yukon, OK, Debbie Brandt and husband Mark of Oklahoma City, OK, and David Ray of Yukon, OK; two granddaughters: Dylan Walker and Elliott Ray, and one grandson, Declan Ray.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Buchanan Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum, OK at 2:30 PM.