Gayle Love

"Aunt Gayle" "Teeter"

Gayle Campbell Love was born on May 18, 1917, in Lamkin, Texas, at home, delivered by her uncle, Dr. Harvey Eargle, M.D., Lamkin's only doctor. She died on December 11, 2016, peacefully, and surrounded by loved ones at the age of 99 years, 6 months, and 23 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles James Campbell and Lorenda Sashel "Miss Odie" Shockley Campbell, her two sisters, Virginia Dare Campbell and Sybil Campbell DeLaney and two brothers, Cullen Rupert Campbell, who was the first serviceman killed in service in WW II from Hamilton County, and Gideon Wilson Campbell. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rodney C. Love and her nephew, James Cullen DeLaney.

Gayle graduated tenth grade from Lamkin High School and then enrolled in school at what is now Tarleton State University to complete the twelfth grade, so that she could follow her sister and two brothers to Southwest Texas State Teachers’ College.

After her brother Cullen was killed in North Africa on July 10,1943, and her brother Gid enlisted into the Army, Gayle decided to temporarily put college on hold to be of service to her country. She reported to the U.S. Naval Reserve Training School at Hunter College, Bronx, N.Y., on February 24, 1943, to become a W.A.V.E. She was so proud to be serving her country! After basic training, Gayle was sent to Washington, D.C. and housed in the Roosevelt Hotel, which had been requisitioned by the U.S. Navy.

After the war, Gayle moved to Houston to be near her sister Sybil and her family. She enrolled at the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. But the travel bug had bitten, and before Gayle could settle in the states, she decided to become a teacher for the Humble Oil American School in Caracas, Venezuela. She loved South America and had many adventures, including taking risky, wild trips into what was then head-hunter country. She also visited Trinidad. While living at the Humble (now Exxon) base camp, she had a pet parrot and was disappointed not to be able to bring it back to the U.S. Her stay in South America ignited her life-long love of travel. During her long life, Gayle traveled to many states, South America, Cuba, Europe, Iceland, and the Holy Land. She always had dreams of going on an African Safari. Her interest and fascination with Africa, especially tribal Africa, never ceased.

Returning to the states after her teaching stint in Caracas, Gayle began a long teaching career for H.I.S.D. Her first assignment was first grade at Luther Burbank Elementary, and then went to Thomas Jefferson Elementary, where she was a second grade teacher for many years. In 1968, Gayle moved back to Lamkin to her parents’ home. She began teaching at the Gatesville School for Boys and then became a teacher to migrant children at Comanche Elementary School. It was during this time, on a date arranged by her good friends and fellow teachers, Freddie and Mark Sills, that Gayle met and fell in love with Rodney Love, Principal of Hamilton High School. After a courtship, partially kept secret because of their respective positions in education, they decided to marry and were married at the Lamkin United Methodist Church on May 24,1975. They were a wonderful match, complemented each other superbly, and were happily married until Rodney's death in 1985. During their marriage, they took many trips and became "grandparents" to Gayle's five great-nieces: Amy, Samantha, Jennifer, Emily, and April. The nieces affectionately called Uncle Rodney "Rachel Mary Ann" and loved being at "Aunt Gayle's House”, making mud pies all day, playing with Popcorn and Popsicle, and basking in Aunt Gayle's attention and love. Aunt Gayle considered these five girls, her special gifts and loved them each unconditionally, (and later their children and spouses). She was known for her generosity in gifts of every sort. Leaving after a visit, she would always tuck "something to buy a ribbon with" into your pocket. James Cullen often said during college he lived off of those "gifts" for a week. From books to cupcakes to cars, the gifts were given with love. She was so proud of "her girls”. They were precious to her.

In 1991, Gayle was reunited with her son, Kenneth Hucherson. It was a joyful occasion. From that day until her death, Kenneth and his family were a special part of her life. She loved visiting Kenneth and Mary at their home in Bacliff, Texas, and talking to Kenneth about their lives.

Gayle was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. Her first membership was with the Lamkin Methodist Church, where her parents were charter members. While living in Houston, she attended Reid Memorial Methodist Church and First Methodist Church. Gayle loved the Lamkin Methodist Church, and for the past forty years has participated in every aspect of church life, from teaching Bible School, to arranging bouquets for Sunday's service, to cleaning the church. Lamkin Methodist Church was an integral, beloved part of her life from her birth to her death.

Gayle's talents were legion and varied. She played the piano and sewed. She cooked with delight and loved her home, but the outside world was her true love. She loved to garden, both vegetables and flowers. She just couldn't understand how anyone could have a messy yard! She loved zinnias, four-o'clocks, hollyhocks and roses. She loved looking out from her front porch and seeing the cows in the pasture with the hill in the background. She loved her little country place; to her it was the best place. Among her other great delights were almond Hershey bars, Coca-cola, Dairy Queen, and shopping at Walmart.

Gayle is survived by her son, Kenneth Hucherson of Houston, his wife Mary, grandson Scott Townsend, his wife April, and their children, Garrett and Mary Ashleigh. She is also survived by her nieces, Bobbie Gayle DeLaney Whelan, Roylene Campbell Huff, Beckie Campbell Church, and her late nephew James Cullen’s wife Linda Pierson DeLaney; nine great-nieces and nephews, Amy DeLaney-Hernandez and husband Andrew Hernandez III, Becky Huff Heller and husband Phil Heller, Roni Huff Wilson, Samantha Whelan Masucci and husband Hayes Masucci, Jason Henicke and wife DeeDee Henicke, Jennifer Ellen DeLaney and husband Bill DeLaney, Emily Whelan Anschlowar and husband Kurt Anschlowar, Cullen Henicke and wife Brandy, and April DeLaney Thomson and husband Colin Thomson; great-great nieces and nephews, Tommy English, Mason, Becca, Brooks, and Callie Jo Henicke, Jackson, Jesse, and Cooper Heller, Ben and Ian Wilson, James and Anna Gayle Masucci, and Thomas Anschlowar, Allegra, Andrew, and Henry Hernandez, Xavier Verdugo and Pierson DeLaney, and Oliver and Daisy Gayle Thomson. Gayle was also survived by her brother-in-law Robert’s brother John Henry DeLaney, as well as a loving extended family and friends.

For those wishing to remember Gayle in a special way, contributions may be made in her name for landscaping and beautification projects to:

Lamkin United Methodist Church

2200 CR 286