She graduated from her senior year in 1964 and joined the U.S. Navy. Gayle faithfully served as a Navy Wac during the Viet Nam War and was honorably discharged in 1966. In that year, she became a resident of Long Beach, California. Thereafter, she began her employment with the City of Long Beach as a long distance operator, and a Customer Service Representative for the Southern California Gas Co. She was also a nurse's aid with the Veteran's Administration Hospital.

Gayle accumulated a wealth of friends, unknowing they would also be so close as family throughout her life. Through those friends she was introduced to The Living Word Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor John E. McClung, Sr.

On February 14, 1970, she married Carzell Chapman, Jr. They joined the Living Word and became faithful members. This loving union is credited with enhancing the development of many children.

In 1990, they relocated their family to Birmingham, Alabama and built another family of beloved friends. They attended 1st Baptist - East Boyles with the Rev. Beverly and also the Filling Station with Rev. Irwin.

God called Gayle home to rest on April 11, 2001. She leaves to rejoice in her homecomeing; her loving and devoted husband, Carzell Chapman, Jr. of Birmingham, Alabama; six daughters, Kim Robinson of California, and Mignon Chapman, Erin Chapman, Kendra Chapman, Paula Chapman, Chelsea Chapman of Alabama; two stepchildren, Tiska Chapman, Derrick Chapman of South Carolina; her father, Buford Williams of Kansas; two brothers, Michael Cunningham of Ohio and Robert Williams of Kansas; five sisters, Georgia Hughes of Texas, Donna, Margo, Kathy and Maime of Kansas; four granddaughters, two grandsons, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A Homegoing Celebration was held on Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at 1:00 PM at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Tarrant, Alabama. Rev. John Irwin officiated. After that service, her family accompanied her to Long Beach, where they celebrated her homegoing with their family from Living Word Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, April 20, 2001. Following this service, on behalf of a grateful nation and in recognition of her honorable service to our country, she was proudly laid to rest in the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California.

"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly and inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people any way; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.