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Submitted: 9/11/18 • Approved: 8/27/19 • Last Updated: 3/25/24 • R1238444-G1238444-S3
September 5, 1941 - January 12, 2018
*Obituary
Brazzel/Oakcrest Funeral Home
Mrs. Gayle Berniece McNeal Garner passed from this life from a brain tumor on Friday, January 12, 2018 at her home in Hope, AR under the care of hospice and her family.
She was born in Paris, Arkansas on September 5, 1941 to Glenn Osmond and Berniece Jewell Viezy McNeal. She graduated from Southern State College, now Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas with a BA in Social Psychology and a minor in English. She married her husband of 55 years on April 14, 1963 in Paris, Arkansas.
Gayle was an interior decorator, a board member of Canon City, Colorado Preschool, member of Friends of the Library, manager of Fremont County, Colorado Planned Parenthood. She eventually followed her husband back to Hope, Arkansas where they were owners of Hollis Heating and Air and ladies’ specialty dress shop, Main Fashions. She was also on the board of the Hope Chamber of Commerce, a board member of School of Hope, a member of B& PW, and the Hope chapter of PEO. She was an artistic, talented quilter and seamstress, and loved to play bridge. She loved her family and taught them to love and respect ALL people as individuals as she would say, “Even if they are pink and purple polka dot!” A wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend who lived and loved out loud. Gayle said to tell everyone she couldn’t talk anymore.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her grandson, Forrest Gregory Garner.
She is survived by her husband Larry Mack Garner of Hope, two sons Gregory Mack Garner and Jennifer of Springdale and Larry Trent Garner of Fayetteville and one daughter Holly Renee Garner Bobo and Doug of Hope, grandchildren: Glenn McNeal Garner, Summer Gayle Garner, Sara Beth Bobo, Dori Ann Bobo and fiancé Joseph Guerra, Webb Matthew Bobo, and Katherine (Katie) Leigh Smith, two great-grandsons Jeremiah and Tristan, three brothers Glenn & Cherie McNeal of Arab, Alabama, Larry and Judy McNeal of Waldo and David and Alice McNeal of New Orleans, LA and a wonderfully long list of other family and precious friends.
Gayle requested no funeral service, but instead she donated her body to UAMS for medical study after which her remains will be cremated and buried at Huckabee Cemetery in Spring Hill, Arkansas as well as shared with her family to be spread across their lives as they see fit.
Any memorials can be made to Children’s Hospital. Please feel free to contact the family so we can celebrate her life with you.
Arrangements are by BRAZZEL/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, AR.
Contributed on 9/11/18
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Record #: 1238444