Gayle Heard's Obituary
Gayle Heard was born Wanda Gayle Tucker, only daughter of Andrew "Babe" Tucker and Mercer Dell Jenkins Tucker in Longview July 20, 1939. She transitioned from this life on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Gayle was a member of an East Texas pioneer family. Her paternal ancestors, Enoch Spinks Tucker , of North Carolina, and Mary Ann Clark Tucker, of Tennessee, settled in the Gum Springs area in what is present-day Gregg County in 1845 and many of their descendents remain in the Harrison/Gregg area. After attending First Ward elementary school, the family moved near Big Sandy, where Gayle completed school. She then attended Kilgore College where she was a Rangerette and member of the Footlight Players as a drama major. She enrolled at Sam Houston State Teachers College, leaving before completing her degree in theatre arts, and subsequently finished both her Bachelor and Master degrees at Stephen F. Austin State University, with post-graduate study in Sociology and Social Work in the University of Texas system.
Gayle married Al Heard on March 10, 1962 and moved back to Longview where they have remained most of their marriage. They are the parents of two daughters, Danielle Heard, of Longview, and Dr. Hailey Heard, of Marietta, Georgia. Another daughter, Alison, did not survive birth but her memory is held in their hearts.
Gayle is survived by her beloved husband and daughters, daughter-in-law, Megan Arnold, brother, Gerald Wayne Tucker, sister-in-law, Gay Wilson Tucker, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Odis and Chiquita Heard, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Patsy and Ray Franklin, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dollie Marie and Bert Allen. Nephews and nieces are Paul and Paula Tucker, Stacy and Terri Tucker, Dana Tucker, Andrew and Sharon Tucker, Gerri Tucker Carlisle and Gary Carlisle, Kara Tucker Gills and Gary Gills, Andrew James Tucker, as well as many dear great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, James Douglas Tucker and Andrew Gene Tucker, step-son, Kenneth David Heard, nephews Billy Ray Tucker and Brint Douglas Tucker, and niece, Dawn Tucker Stribling.
Gayle and Al had a marvelous life, involved in sailing, music, travel, and theatre. They helped to establish a permanent home for the Longview Yacht Club and enjoyed racing and pleasure cruising. For many years, Gayle was active both on the stage and behind the scenes at Longview Community Theatre. She was also very active in the community, initiating and developing numerous programs to benefit children and families, including the provision of foster care services in Gregg County, shelters for homeless adolescents, East Texas Network for Children, local programs to reduce child abuse, and work with the District Family Court for child support probationers and their families. As a Clinical Social Worker, she was involved with abused and neglected children in her employment in Child Protective Services as supervisor in Gregg County, with Methodist Mission Home as East Texas Social Worker for adoption services, with Sabine Valley Center as Program Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and in private practice. She was a dedicated advocate for children for more than thirty years, serving on numerous boards on the state and local levels throughout her career and through volunteer effort. Until recent years, she was active in the Zonta Club of Longview, an international service organization for professional and executive women. She maintained an active membership in the American Mensa Society and was especially interested in their gifted children's program. An avid reader, Gayle enjoyed the stimulating discussions of the Fredonia House Book Club and her group of women friends who met to discuss a monthly selection, but more often than not, were really interested in the food. She leaves them, and other good friends, with her sincere appreciation for all the good times and for their loving support when it was needed.
Memorial service for Gayle Heard will be at the Unitarian Fellowship of Longview, 2301 Alpine Road, Longview, on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11 a.m. Scattering of her ashes will be at a later date with private family participation. The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home in Longview from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2013. Anyone wishing to make a memorial gift is lovingly requested to support CASA of Gregg County, or the outreach efforts of the Unitarian Fellowship of Longview.
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