Darlene L Gayle

Darlene Louise Gayle was born in Los Angeles, California on September 21st, 1958 to Billy and Samella Sims. She grew up primarily in Tracy, California with her mother and father on a beautiful ranch. Her grandmother, Ida Mae Sims, played a huge role in her spiritual development. As a child, Darlene grew up in church loving the Lord, was filled with the Holy Ghost, and was actively involved in her youth group.

In her early teenage years, Darlene connected with her future husband, Bobby Gayle, and they had their first daughter Monica Gayle. Darlene was received by her loving in-laws as a daughter and adopted into the Gayle family. She then had three more children with Bobby Gayle: Bobby Gayle Jr., Marlon Gayle, and Darlisha Gayle.

Darlene went back to school to finish her GED and attended Delta College for her training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She worked as a CNA in numerous facilities throughout the San Joaquin County for over 25 years. Darlene displayed a resilient work ethic. For many years, she worked two jobs at once to support her family’s needs.

She loved her husband and children more than anything in the world. She fought to keep her family together through trials and hardships. She believed in the power of prayer to get her through difficult times while raising her children in Stockton, California.

She was known for bragging and sometimes adding extra “sugar” to her children’s accomplishments. She would tell random people, “I got a teacher, a preacher, a doctor, a cement mason, and a nurse.” She tried to attend all of her children’s and grand children’s birthday parties, celebrations, and graduations.

She was greatly loved by her extended family. Her nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members loved to spend time with her. She had a sense of humor that never went out of style. She was known to have her own famous statements that family and friends recognized as unique to her personality. When she was ready to go, she would say, “Let’s get to gettin.” If she felt she wanted to do something her way, she would say, “Can you let me do it.” If she felt something was not right, she would say, “Why you want to do it to me?” When she wanted to put emphasis on a particular request, she would say, “Thoroughly and directly.” She had a special touch in her character that made people feel comfortable, loved, and accepted.

Darlene enjoyed good preaching, teaching, worship and praise music. She was a member of Lighthouse of the Valley Church for the past 10 years. At Lighthouse, she was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ and continued to hold on to the hand of the Lord through all of her struggles and sicknesses.

Darlene was preceded in death by her mother (Samella Bowens), her sisters (Jackquline Brown and Marlene Sims-Williams). She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband (Bobby Gayle Sr.), eldest daughter’s family (Monica and Patrick Mitchell, children: Asante, Patricia, and Mia), eldest son’s family (Bobby Gayle Jr., children: Angelique, Jatalya, Zion, Noah, and Faith), youngest son’s family (Marlon and Genessa Gayle, child: Marlon Gayle II), youngest daughter’s family (Darlisha and Brian, children: Branae, Brian Jr., Terraj, Lebryon), her father and his wife (Billy and Dr. Valerie Sims), her brother (Lester Sims) her sisters ( Yavonne Curry and RoiTosha Sims), numerous uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of relatives and friends.

“Thank you momma for the message of love, compassion, forgiveness, and hope that you gave us. Memories of you will always inspire us and keep us laughing. Your legacy has made a difference through the lives of your children impacting thousands of lives in America and in India. We would have never made it without you! We will continue to press on in Jesus Name. We look forward to seeing you on that great day in heaven with Jesus!”

Love- Your Children