Gayle R. Wilson, age 75, a resident of Carrollton, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at her residence. She was born in Carroll County, MO, on Thursday, August 3, 1950, Gayle lived a life marked by creativity, kindness, and cherished moments.
Gayle, a proud graduate of Carrollton High School, found joy in shaping the world around her. Her career as a store manager at Video Showcase in Carrollton spanned 15 memorable years, where she took pride in building connections with her community including starting her own stained glass business. She also enjoyed dealing Black Jack at Harrah’s Casino. Later on Gayle provided loving care for families as a trusted babysitter.
She was more than her job titles; Gayle was an artist at heart. Known for her quilting every Thursday with her church friends, Gayle was accomplished in sewing, embroidery, and even the delicate art of stained glass, with pieces featured in a Nevada casino. Her talents extended to photography and rendering stunning images in charcoal and pencil. Gayle also had a proud accomplishment of single-handedly restoring a Volkswagen Bug’s engine during her high school years.
Gayle expressed love through culinary delight, often seen bringing smiles with her heartfelt meals and baked treats. Her cooking was the essence of her love language, nourishing both the body and the spirit of those she cherished. Gayle loved to travel, and recently completed her bucket list of traveling to all 50 states of this great nation.
She leaves behind a loving family, including her husband of 50 years, Roger, of the home; her daughters, Kelly Sweeney and husband, Brian of Carrollton, MO, Leanne Vanderbur and husband, Patrick, of Columbia, MO, and Cheryl Wilson of Sturgeon, MO: a son. Bruce Wilson and wife, Elizabeth, of Columbia, MO; her brother, Glendale Chapman and wife, Brenda of Rogersville, MO, and her sister, Carol Reed and Gary Hensley of Nixa, MO. She leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren: Dakota Sweeney, Cierra Deshazo and husband, Garrett, Owen Sweeney, Evan Vanderbur, Olivia Vanderbur, West Wilson and Henry Wilson. She was also blessed with one great-grandchild, Oakley; and several nieces, great nieces , nephews and great nephews who adored her. Gayle’s parents, Clarence James Chapman Jr. and Anna Grace Chapman, and her sister, Virginia Lance, preceded her in death, offering her a welcoming embrace into the afterlife.
A memorial service to celebrate Gayle’s extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, MO. Gayle’s family invites friends and loved ones to join in honoring her memory. Memorial contributions may be made to Carroll County Memorial Hospital Foundation, Community Initiatives Fund, serving residents of Carroll, Charitan, Livingston, and Lafeyette counties, focusing on Mental Health, Social Detriments of Health, and Chronic Disease prevention.
Please Make Donation to: CCMH Foundation , and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, PO Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are kindly provided by Lindley Funeral Home.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
