Gayle Ann Elbert

Gayle Ann Elbert, age 88, of Ocean Springs, MS, (by way of Gulf Breeze, FL) went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 6, 2023. She left peacefully and quietly while at home, with loved ones present to send her off.

Gayle is preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Donald L Elbert, of Louisville, KY; two daughters, Karen Angela Elbert, and Donna Kathleen Quina; parents, Thomas Earl Rhodes, and Ruth Ann Rhodes; and her sister, Joyce Jacqueline Sans

Gayle is a native of Louisville, KY. She lived in Gulf Breeze, FL, for 43 years before moving to Ocean Springs, MS, in 2013. Gayle graduated from Mercy Academy (all girl school) in Louisville, KY, working there after hours to pay her tuition. She worked for many years as the secretary of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. She retired as the office manager from Patty’s Shipyard in Penacola, FL.

Gayle is survived by her children, Joyce E Wright of Huntington, WV, Richard W Elbert (Dana) of Louisville, KY, and Doris J Ledet (Clayton) of Ocean Springs, MS; her grandchildren, Karen Wright, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Jason Denney, Pace, FL, Eric Denney, Pensacola, FL, Elizabeth Denney, Pensacola FL, Robert Quina, Pensacola, FL, Kimberly Brown (James), Clarksville, TN, Shana Hudson, Pensacola, FL, Cody Elbert (Olivia), Lexington, KY, and Grace Fowler (Elliott), Indianapolis, IN; her great-grandchildren, Aubree C Denney, Ocean Springs, MS, Kylie Denney, Pensacola FL, Terra Ledet, Ocean Springs, MS, Jacob Denney, Gautier, MS, Mackenzie Denney, Pensacola, FL, Jorgia Denney, Pace, FL, Raina Wright, Mary Esther, FL, Kennedi Brown, Clarksville, TN, Oliver Kuhn, Pensacola, FL, Olivia Kuhn, Pensacola, FL, and Donna Quina, Pensacola, FL; sister, Ruth Spayd (Charles) of Indianapolis, IN; and other family member, Austin VanLandingham, Pensacola, FL, and Hayley Seligman, Pensacola, FL.

Gayle mastered any hobby she took on. She was a seamstress, she knitted and crocheted, created many macrame works of art, and was known for her meticulous cross-stitch works, some even earning ribbons at the state fair. She loved gardening (she could bring back a dead African violet), and birdwatching - two of her favorites being hummingbirds and cranes. She liked fast cars and motorcycles. Gayle was a member of the Serra Club in Pensacola, FL.

Gayle was known for her big smiles and sassiness. She was a very generous person who would often give away her knitted shawls when someone complimented one, insisting she could knit another. Even in her last months she would always offer to share her food and drinks with whomever was visiting. When working on any project, she would stay up late into the night to ensure the recipient would be pleased with the finished item. She cared deeply for others, often considering them family. She was very intelligent, always had to have her hands busy, and left behind a pile of puzzle books yet to be completed.  But don’t cross her or you might be on the receiving end of a glass of tea – sweetened, of course.       

She had a love for Jesus, wanting to tell others how to be saved so she will see them in heaven one day.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11 am. Friends and family will be received beginning at 10 am. The memorial will be held at Ramsay Hills Baptist Church, 13300 Joe Batt Rd, Ocean Springs, MS.  Interment will follow on the church property.

In lieu of flowers, Gayle would like contributions made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.