of Benton, AR
May 27, 1956 - September 26, 2015
Gayla Massey, 59 of Benton, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2015 in Little Rock. She was born May 27, 1956 in Memphis, TN to William Riley and Lois Juanita Henderson. She was a preschool teacher at First Baptist Church, volunteer for VBS, Childrens Choir, CJCOHN, and sang in the sanctuary choir. She also was a substitute teacher for Benton School District.
Preceding her in death was her father, William Henderson; nephew, Brad Henderson and brother-in-law, Lee Lewis.
Survivors include her husband, Don; daughter, Autumn Pride and husband, Daniel of Benton; son, Dr. Adam Massey of Columbia, MO; her mother, Lois Juanita Henderson of Portageville, MO; two brothers, Danny Henderson and wife, Anne of Sugar Hill, GA. and Trennis Henderson and wife, Pam of Arkadelphia, AR; three sisters Leatrice Klutts and husband Bob of Sherwood, AR, Aleta Janzen and husband, Doug of Raymore, MO and Wanda Reed and husband, Leman of Warrensburg, MO; several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church, Selph Hall with Rev. Rick Grant officiating.
Visitation is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening, September 28, 2015 also at Selph Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, 211 S. Market, Benton, AR 72015; or Brad Henderson Scholarship Fund @ Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613.
Dear Don and family,
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of Gayla. As you know we had the opportunity to meet her several times and can truly say she was a wonderful woman who will be truly missed by so many. Our prayers will continue for you, Autumn, Adam and the rest of your family.
In Sympathy and Love,
Henry and Bonnie Dube
Don and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Gayla's passing. She was a very good friend to me!! I will keep you and your children in my prayers.
Im sorry to.hear about Gayla. Your family has always had a special spot in my heart. I always enjoyed babysitting Autumn and Adam and was so sad when y'all moved. My heart breaks for you all. In.my prayers. Love Jolina and family
Sorry to hear about Gayla. Praying
May God Bless you and your family in this very sad time. I know that Gayla was a wonderful person and she will be missed. Remember also she will always be with you in your hearts and memories. Cherish them. love you
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. If you need anything please let us know.
Sincerely,
Dr. Quint, Beth Rahn, LPN and all nursing staff
My deepest sympathy to Uncle Don, Autumn and Adam. Aunt Gayla will be greatly missed. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. I wish I could be there. I love you all and will keep you in my prayers. May you feel God's comfort and peace.
You guys have been in our thoughts and prayers. Gayla will truly be missed by so many. She was strong in her faith and this was evident to those who were around her.
We pray comfort and strength over each of you.
In Christ,
Melinda Davis
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Sorry for loss.
Don we are very sad to hear of Gaylas passing. She was a remarkable woman and Christian role model. You and the family will be in our prayers.
Dear loved ones,
I just watched the beautiful video of Gayla's life.
It brought back such sweet memories. I only wish that we could have stayed connected over the years.
My prayers are with all of you as your bear your grief.
Knowing that Gayla is safe in the arms of Jesus and that she is with Uncle Bill, grandma, grandpa, Tootsie, Aunt Mary and Aunt Lorella must be a blessing to you all.
Love and prayers,
Janet
So sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and your family.
So sorry. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Don and family, I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Psalm 27:5 "For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock."
I wish that I had kept in better touch with my Missouri cousins, but my memories of Gayla are crystal-clear. Visiting the bootheel of Missouri every summer from New Orleans was a highlight of my childhood and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Gayla and Trennis teasing me about the "yay-johns" (their version of the boogeyman), Gayla teasing me good-naturedly just in general. I loved her and all of you and you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I know Gayla is in Heaven and I know all of you are a family of deep faith and we have to remember that our loss is Heaven's gain. Love, Jeff
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Don and family,
I am very sorry for you loss. Please pass my concolances on. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Don, prayers for all of you - so sorry for your loss
Don, I am shocked to hear this news! I know we had lost touch but I had no idea that Gayla was sick. Oh my heart breaks for you, Autumn and Adam. We have so many memories. Too many to count! We were the best of friends for many years! I hope you know I am praying for you and I would love to see you. Take care my dear friend! Lynn
870-270-9043
Lynn.gore@yahoo.com
We were members of first Baptist chruch in portageville together. Her dad and mom use to take me to their house on sundays after church. Im so sorry for your family and friends but know there some good singing with you parents. God bless you all
Sorry for your loss, You may not know me but I went to church with Gayle in Portageville. She and I would spent the night with each other. I still remember setting at her piano singing. She sure was a very kind person. I am praying for you and your family in this time of sorry. Remember God, needed a new angel to help sing with the choir. I am sure she will sure be missed. I know we will see her again one day in heaven, I can't wait to see all who have gone before us. I am sure she and my mother Blanche are up there singing and can't wait till we get there to be there with them. Karen Talley
Dear Don, Autumn and Adam, Aunt Juanita and all my Henderson cousins,
I haven't seen Gayla in a long time but we connected occasionally on Facebook. She was and is a treasured cousin. When we were all younger, she was always so much fun with a mischievious twinkle in her eye, a quick wit and a wonderful smile and laugh! I know she is with our Heavenly Father now and reunited with her Daddy, my Uncle Bill. I am so sorry that she left us all too soon, but I have faith we will all meet again. I am sure you each have special memories of her that you will cherish each and every day. I am holding you all close in prayer and believe God will carry you each through the days, weeks and months ahead.
I will miss you. You have been a friend like no other. I will miss our talks, our laughs, our memories. See you in heaven sista!
Autumn and Adam,
I am so sorry for your loss, and my thoughts and prayers
are with each of you.
Polly Caldwell
Don, so sorry for your loss. Gayla was a very sweet person. I will be praying for you.
This lady will be surely missed she was my granddaughter's preschool teacher and she loved the kids she always made sure the kids were OK and happy the beautiful woman with a beautiful heart and I love for the Lord there's no doubt in my mind that she is in heaven gathering around the children and singing Jesus loves me that was one song I heard her humming and singing a lot Godspeed Gayla we love and miss you ! I will be praying for your family to give them strength each day
May "the God of all comfort" be with you and yours today and in the future. Psalm 83:18; 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 ; John 5:28,29
God's richest blessings to Don, Autumn and Adam. In my minds eye, I see her sitting at the feet of her Savior, absorbing it all and leading in praise of the One who she worshipped on this earth. I can only imagine.
We are so sorry for your loss but feel so blessed to have known Gayla. She had a dynamic personality and love for others. May God comfort you at this sad time and may your sweetest memories bring you a small.amount peace. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and we send you our sincere sympathy. Linda & John
Gayla was one of a kind. I will always remember her smile , laugh, tenacity, guidness , and her explosive love of Jesus, her family and children. I'm proud and grateful to have known her. My prayers and codolences to her family.
Your all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow. May God place his comforting arms around you today and in the days to follow. Gayla was a very special person and friend. She leaves behind so many good memories, stories, and who can forget her smile and laughter. She will truly be missed.