Gayla Lynn Clymer Batson passed away September 11, 2018 after a brief struggle with advanced ovarian cancer. Although a self-described introvert, she was an exceptional and sparkly extrovert to all her friends and family and could make any occasion brighter just by her presence.
She was the youngest child born to C.E. and Jodie Clymer in Lancaster, TX and was always so proud to be a native Texan. Although she never traveled far from home, she came to Austin to spend time with her older sister ten years ago and ended up meeting and marrying Sean Batson, the man she described as her best friend. Sean and Gayla settled into a life that included family, work, school and their beloved dogs.
Although she settled in Austin, she always made time to talk with her mom and dad and see them. Words just can’t describe the bubbly, positive, polite and yet sometimes sassy girl that she was to family and friends. She always focused on the possibilities and upside of life, and we all were better just by being with her. Family was always important to her, and her nieces Lauren (Taylor) and Kaitlyn spent many summers with Gayla, Sean and her sister Elizabeth. When Elizabeth’s son Rook was born last year, Gayla was over the moon to once again be an aunt.
She loved books and reading, and spending time with Sean and their two dogs, Pepper and Riley. She also loved going back to school and posted that becoming a nurse was her dream job. She was completing courses to accomplish this goal at Austin Community College. She also worked full time at Walmart where she was much loved by her co-workers and worked in a variety of roles during her time there. She was known for changing her hair to every color in the rainbow and making it look attractive and fun. She was known for her collection of purses, a passion she inherited from her Aunt Billie.
She also loved penguins and that was Sean’s pet name for her. Her flirty watercolor penguin tattoo was a Christmas present from her secret Santa last Christmas. And those of us who spent the night in her hospital room and learned what it was like to sleep in the sub artic climate she preferred wondered if that was part of the reason for her nickname.
Gayla is survived by her husband Sean; her parents C.E. and Jodie; her brother Chuck and his wife Claire; her sister Elizabeth and her partner Jeff; Sean’s parents Vicki, Sid and his wife Stephanie; brothers in law Chris, Josh, Nigel, Lee and sister in law Cassie; her nieces Lauren, Kaitlyn, Jordyn and Clarissa; her nephews Rook, Garrett, and Cooper; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Gayla participated in the Women’s Empowerment Network as a Walmart volunteer and always talked about how much this volunteer work meant to her. She also was a supporter of Austin Pets Alive. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends and family consider donations to either of these charities that Gayla supported.
There will be a Visitation Sunday,September 17, from 6pm to 8pm at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX 78750 and a Celebration of Life Memorial on September 29, 2018 11am lunch and 12pm service at J-Bar C Cowboy Church 230 E FM 813, Palmer, TX 75152.
