Gayle Lee Rowles McKane
Gayle Lee Rowles McKane
Gayle Lee Rowles McKane was born July 22, 1952, and died April 22, 2009. She married Joseph Alexander McKane.
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Gayle's children with Joseph McKane |
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Sara Elizabeth Thomas Hall |
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Kathleen “Katie” Jean McKane |
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Rachel Gayle McKane |
Gayle Lee Rowles McKane, the oldest daughter of William and Billie Jean Stancil Rowles, was born July 22, 1952, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Gayle was the granddaughter of Sarah Ethel Harris and Leumos Waverly Stancil and the great granddaughter of Minnie Sasser and Josiah Stancil.
Cousin Anne Stancil Langston shared a love of sports cars with Gayle. One fond memory is of Gayle sporting about in her flashy red 1960 Austin Healy Sprite while Anne drove her 1968 MG midget.
Gayle graduated in 1970 from Tates Creek High in Lexington, KY. She won the 1970 Kentucky State writing award and good friend and classmate Jim Varney won the 1970 Kentucky State acting award. He entered Murray College at 15. Jim Varney was famous for playing "Ernest P. Worrell" in films and a recognized Shakespearean actor. Gayle and Jim maintained their close friendship until his death in 2000.
Gayle earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and received her MS in Psychology from the Fielding Graduate Institute located in Santa Barbara, Calif. Gayle loved learning and studied with a passion.
Gayle, like so many of the Josiah Branch, was quite musical, singing and playing the guitar. Joe, a native of Ireland, complemented her talent by playing the banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and mandolin. They often played "Cooley's Reel," a traditional Irish musical reel. Musical gatherings are cherished memories. Gayle favorites songs included "My Town" by Iris DeMent and "Danny Boy," as sung by Tommy Flemming and De Dannan.
Gayle met Joe when they both had shops in the same strip mall. Gayle had a toy store and Joe had a print shop. Joe grew up in Bushmills, Northern Ireland. This quaint village is the home of the oldest Licensed distillery in the world, Old Bushmills Distillery, famous for Irish whiskey, licensed by King James in 1608.
Gayle and Joe were married in the Ascension Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, on Jan. 30, 1987. Gayle and Joe honeymooned in Ireland. Gayle and Joe's favorite Church that conjures up many fond memories is a little one at Lake Lure in North Carolina.
Once Gayle, admired for her skill as a tireless researcher, traveled to Nashville to research a certain plot of land on Third Street in a downtown Chattanooga cemetery, part of which was destined to be a road.
Gayle was suspicious that it may once have been a cemetery of Civil War soldiers. Gayle's diligence paid off. She discovered the records pertaining to the cemetery were about to be sealed forever. Gayle searched through the ancient documents and found a map proving this was hallowed ground, the burial place of Civil War soldiers and Indians. Gayle, single handedly, stopped the destruction of the graves and preserved history. Today it is enclosed in a wrought iron fence.
Gayle and Joe shared a loved and appreciation for early American toys and as a result in 1980 opened "McKane's Historical Toys & Games" in Chattanooga. This classic toys company supplies real wooden toys and unique toys from earlier times to stores around the country. Customers included Cracker Barrel, Museum Stores, including the Smithsonian, National Parks, and many gift shops. Gayle and Joe visited the Smithsonian many times absorbing our Nation's history.
Because of Gayle's expertise, she worked as a HIPPA compliance officer for several companies, among them were Genesis Health Care and Bacon Products.
Gayle spent the last seven years working with another psychologist, Dr. Laura Gladson. She felt her mission in life was to help people. On Easter Sunday, three days before Gayle entered the hospital for the last time, she drove to Ringgold, Ga., to help a client through a maze of Social Security disability papers.
Gayle spent three years doing researching for a book about preservation of antique linens, lace, photographs and documents. Her cousin Anne assisted with the editing. Unfortunately Gayle died before it could be published.
Gayle wore many hats and had many interests. She was recognized for her efforts to preserve history. Gayle possessed a keen intellect along with a healthy dose of perfectionism and desire to make a positive difference. Gayle freely gave friendship and love. Helping ease burdens was her passion. Gayle found particular comfort in the 23rd Psalm, a favorite of both Gayle and Joe. Family and friends cherish memories of Gayle that will on forever.
Gayle died of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on April 22, 2009, with her beloved husband Joe and brother Bill by her side, in Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, Tenn. She was only 56 and had battled COPD since 2000.
Gayle was preceded in death by her parents Billy Jean Stancil and William Thomas Rowles, her uncle James H. Stancil and cousin Phillip A. Stancil.
It was her desire that ashes placed with her parents at the "Duck Pond" also in a special Memory Garden built by dear friend Barbara Wilson within the Genesis Garden behind Genesis Home Care and the remainder taken to Bushmills, Northern Ireland, a place of love, joy and hope.
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