Gayle Kaydon Hobbs

Gayle Kaydon Hobbs, of Clayton, NC (formerly of Raleigh, NC and Huntsville, AL), left this life and entered his eternal Home, on Monday, September 29, 2014, at the age of 82. There, he was welcomed by his Heavenly Father; his loving wife, Exxa; and a large host of beloved family members and friends. We know it was a wonderful celebration!

Gayle was born September 14, 1932, in Birmingham, AL, to Harvey Bradford and Annagene Witte Hobbs. He grew up with four siblings, all of whom loved and appreciated music. Hearing them all sing together around the family piano was a true joy! Gayle sang in school choirs and in church choirs all of his life. That love and gift of music has been passed down to his children and their children. Although his father died when Gayle was only 18 years old, the Hobbs children grew up with a good work ethic, a sense of humor, and a love of family.

Through his service in the Air Force, in the 1950's, Gayle learned how to work and "fix" just about anything. This knowledge helped his family for many years, with radio, TV, and car repairs. This great interest in how things worked led him toward computers as they came on the scene. He joined Brown Engineering, then IBM, working as a Technical Writer and, years later, retiring as a Technical Editor. His job at IBM also gave him the opportunity to work with NASA and the Apollo space program. His love of computers and technology never waned, and he enjoyed reading about science and the latest gadgets and inventions.

Throughout the years, however, Gayle became most known and appreciated for his love and devotion to God, his family and his church. Throughout their lives, Gayle and his wife, Exxa, had a Christian faith that inspired their family and many others they touched in the churches they joined and in the communities they lived. The best gift they gave their children was a knowledge of God as our Heavenly Father, Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit as our Counselor and Comforter, and the Church as our Family.

Along with his wife, Exxa Teague Hobbs, Gayle was predeceased by his parents; Exxa's parents, Hasel and Margarette Teague; his sister, Joann Hobbs Price, his brother and sister-in-"love," Harvey Grayson and Emily Morgan Hobbs. Survivors are as follows: children and those loved as his children: Donna-Lynn Hobbs Lockard (Mickey), Kaydon Gayle Hobbs (Debi), and Robyn Hobbs Shoemaker (Jon); grandchildren and those loved as grandchildren: Matthew Boyd Lockard (Julie), Lauren Hobbs La May (Chris), Mark Kaydon Lockard (Rebecca), and Anna Elizabeth Shoemaker; his great-grandchildren, Grayson Lockard, Ella Lockard, and Lillian La May; his sisters and those loved as his brothers: Gene Hobbs Jones (Frank) and Rosilyn Hobbs Crom (Wendell); and his nephews, nieces, and cousins.

His family would like to thank the nurses and staff at WakeMed, who made Gayle's last days as comfortable as possible, treated him with the utmost dignity and as one of their own, and who showered his family with love and compassion. We are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorials, in the name of Gayle Hobbs, be made to any of these following funds at Knightdale United Methodist Church: The KUMC Preschool Fund, Dream Coat Ministries, or the Food Pantry, at 7071 Forestville Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. Arrangements under the direction of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Raleigh, NC.