Gayle "Mom" Slider

Everyone’s life is the sum total of all of the people they have met, the things they have done, the places they have gone. GaynelleThomas Slider was no exception. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Gayle/Mom will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Gayle/Mom's life journey began on April 12, 1925. She first greeted the world in Wayne, West Virginia. Her parents' names were Sam Richardson and Nella Rouse. She grew up on a farm in Arcadia, Indiana. Growing up for Gayle/Mom was an involving experience. It allowed her to learn and grow and create all kinds of memories.

Falling in love is a huge milestone for any person. Just knowing that you have met that special someone is a magical feeling. Gayle/Mom experienced that with Landis Slider. They met at a singles dance.

Gayle/Mom exchanged wedding vows with Slick on February 20, 1988. It was a "cleaned up" biker wedding. Officiating for the service was Preacher Smith.

After the wedding, the couple enjoyed their first few days together as husband and wife during their honeymoon. 20 years after marrying Landis they went on a four day cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.

Empathic and loyal, Gayle/Mom was committed to making her new family happy. It is true that during those early years the couple lived modestly, but they were happy nonetheless. Their first residence was a two bedroom house in Commerce City, Co.

It can be said that you can tell a lot about a person by their friends. In addition to these friends, the couple also had Pistal - a rescued dog, Taz - a rescued feral cat, Sheba - a cat that was a gift, Herman - a tortoise, Onex - a rescued dog and Jackie - a gift cat. So it's little wonder that she took an active role in her neighborhood and community. Ladies auxiliary to the VFW an auxiliary to the MOC (cooties).

While everything a person does in life contributes to who they grow into, it is ultimately this same person who holds the most influence on the next generation. Gayle/Mom worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Gayle/Mom was blessed with four children (one died in infancy) Tom, Marcie and Mike. She worked hard toward raising her children in a positive and nurturing environment.

Gayle/Mom enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things.

How a person performs in the workplace can be a reflection on how they live their life. Fortunately, Gayle/Mom enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Gayle/Mom worked diligently and did her best to succeed in each of her jobs. While she worked several jobs over her life, Gayle/Mom's primary occupation was working as an electronics assembler for JPL and Hughes Electronics at Santa Barbara.

Though Gayle/Mom didn’t work for accolades, she was recognized for a job well done. She built and tested the prototype joystick control for the Lunar Rover (moon buggy) and for this she received the NASA Snoopy Award for Excellence.

Gayle/Mom always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

A person's hobbies often mirror who they have become. Gayle/Mom enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in a number of different activities, including crocheting and knitting. She was usually willing to share her interests with others.

Like all people, Gayle/Mom had her favorite things in life. She enjoyed gardening in Wyoming and caring for her rose bushes in Las Vegas. She enjoyed reading books by Danielle Steele, Harlequin Romances and all Louis L'Amour stories.

When it came to entertainment, Gayle/Mom enjoyed a number of different things. Her favorite shows were Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and anything with Tom Selleck. Her favorite music was old time R&R and country-western. She also enjoyed good food and drink, such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and Kahlua and cream.

Gayle/Mom enjoyed sports and athletics. She was a hardcore Denver Broncos fan.

A person’s faith says a great deal about them. Some people are raised with strong beliefs while others garner them throughout their life. Gayle/Mom's faith was important to her. She was Methodist.

When Gayle/Mom's retirement finally arrived in 1990, she was well-prepared.

Even in retirement, Gayle/Mom continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new ones.

Gayle/Mom was active in her new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

Gaynelle Thomas Slider left us on March 25, 2011. She passed away at home in Las Vegas. She was 85 years old. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, two brothers, three sisters, one son and a husband. She is survived by husband, Landis, two sons, two daughters, twenty-eight grand kids, forty-four great grand kids and four great great grand kids. Services were handled by Palm Mortuary. Gayle/Mom was laid to rest at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

So this is Gayle/Mom's life, the sum of the woman that she became. Simply stated, Gayle/Mom was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being caring and giving, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Gayle/Mom leaves behind her a legacy of lifelong friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life GaynelleThomas Slider touched will always remember her with a smile.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.