Lois Williams Gayler

August 5, 1932 – November 7, 2025

Lois Williams Gayler, 93, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025. She was born on August 5, 1932, and spent the majority of her life in Washington County, Virginia.

Lois was a quiet, generous person who preferred to work behind the scenes. She served as treasurer for the Glade Area Senior Center, where she and her husband worked tirelessly to improve the center and make it enjoyable for all members. She also worked with the S.H.A.R.E. food distribution program and the Glade Spring Food Bank. She especially enjoyed working for children. Her compassion for animals began early in her life, when a neighbor in Japan gave her first Siamese kitten, whom she named Tabu and later brought home to California. She traveled extensively to many other places during her late husband’s military service. Lois loved her family and always enjoyed seeing everyone and visiting for a while.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Hilda and Thomas Williams; her beloved husband of 60 years, Donald E. Gayler; two sisters, Betty Carter and Dotty Taylor; and one brother, Tommy Williams.

Those left to cherish her memory include three sisters: Evelyn Musselwhite (Robert) of Jacksonville, Florida; Carolyn Keesee of Glade Spring, Virginia; and Rita Colley of Johnson City, Tennessee; as well as a sister-in-law, Sylvia Anderson of Owasso, Oklahoma. She was a proud aunt to many nieces and nephews, including Jason Colley (Victoria), Blake Carter (Mary), Thomas “Eddie” Keesee (Terri), Mike Musselwhite, Todd Musselwhite, Bill Gayler (Jung), Teresa Everington, Tammy Weaver (Harry), Tina Westerlund (Dean), and Renee Powers (Dallas). She is also survived by numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, among them Megan Eades and her husband, Colin, whose dedicated help and support were invaluable throughout Lois’ illness.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Mount Rose Mausoleum with Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating.

Lois will be remembered for the love she had for her family and the strength, grace, and kindness she carried throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lois’ honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) and the Washington County Animal Shelter (15050 Lee Hwy, Bristol, VA 24202).

Services will be announced soon. 

Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Lois Williams Gayler.