GAYLE EAKIN

Gayle Eakin, age 67, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Tuesday morning, February 27, 2024, at Seminole Manor Nursing Home.

 Funeral services for Gayle will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Donalsonville Church of God with Rev. Phillip Kirkland officiating.   Interment will follow in Corinth Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery with Jace Heard, Kris Echols, Ed Echols, Jack Newberry, Lane Newberry, and Drew Thompson serving as active pallbearers.   Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM at the church.

 Ms. Eakin was born in Bainbridge, GA on April 29, 1956, to Edsel Ennis Eakin and Sybil Jeanette Thompson Eakin.  She graduated from Seminole County High School in 1974, and went on to work in the healthcare industry.  Gayle worked many years in the healthcare field, specifically dealing with the heart.  She was a Monitor Tech, an Echo Tech, and a Holter Monitor Tech before retiring from Southeast Health in Dothan, AL. Gayle was an active member of Donalsonville Church of God.

 When Gayle retired, she launched her own business as “Gayle The Dog Sitter”.   She started out small with her best friends dogs but word got out and she had her calendar booked.  She was always in high demand, everyone tried to get on her schedule because she was the “Best”! If your dog (or cat) was ever kept by Gayle, they were SPOILED. 

 Gayle was happiest being the best sister, GiGi, Aunt Gayle, Sunday School teacher, Youth Worker, and YaYa Sister, when she wasn’t working. Gayle was passionate about several things, namely ministering to youth.  She was called to minister to youth over 40 years ago.   She worked South Georgia Church of God Youth Camp every year and for most of those years worked ALL 4 weeks using her vacation time and time off to fulfill this calling.  Gayle was recognized several times for her achievements with the youth.  She also worked many years with the youth at the Donalsonville Church of God.  She was a Sunday School Teacher and helped the Campers on Mission to build the Family Life Center at the Donalsonville Church of God.   She went on then to help Campers on Mission to rebuild the New Life at Lake Seminole Church that had been destroyed by the hurricane.

 Photography was another of Gayle’s passions.  She loved taking pictures of landscapes and wildlife. Gayle has won many blue ribbons in art shows around the area.  She was a HUGE DAWG FAN!!  She went to as many Georgia Games as she could get to and when she wasn’t at the game, she was watching with friends who loved them just as much as she did. For Gayle, “G” stands for GOD, GEORGIA, AND GAYLE!!

 She leaves to cherish her memory, her sisters, Glenda Echols and husband Charlie of Boston, GA, Delores Heard of Bainbridge, GA, and Barbara Ann Wiggins of Marianna, FL; her niece, Shannon Heard of Bainbridge, GA; and nephews, Jace Heard and Brittany of Cairo, GA, Ed Echols of Boston, GA, Kris Echols and Rachael of Tampa, FL, Scott Wiggins and Tori of Marianna, FL, and Steven Wiggins and Deanne of Marianna, FL.  Also surviving are special friends, Susan and Steven Brooks of Donalsonville, GA, Kim and Jack Newberry of Iron City, GA, Samuel and Will Brooks and Lane Newberry.

 Ms. Eakin was preceded in death by her parents, Edsel Ennis Eakin and Sybil Jeanette Thompson Eakin; her stepfather, Byron Carroll; and her brother-in-law, Carey Heard.