Gayle was raise in Friona, Texas and graduated from Friona High School in 1960.
She married her first husband, Larry Don Milligan, in Friona, Texas on December 24, 1963. After Larry was out of the military, they moved to Fort Worth, Texas. They had one son, Neal Cassidy Milligan born in September 1970. and they divorced November 6, 1973. On May 1, 1976 she married her second husband Dale Nolte in Winkler, Texas, They had one daughter, Stacey Lynn Nolte, born February 1977, and they were divorced on January 8, 1994.
Gayle was proceeded in death by her parents, sisters Ann, Mae, and Irene, and her first husband Larry Milligan. Gayle is survived by her son Neal Milligan, a daughter Stacey Nolte, a granddaughter Carli Milligan-Nix, great-granddaughter Cassidy Ann Nix, brothers Ed, Raymond and Richard. Her sister June and Sue. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.