Obituary Record

Evelyn Gayle (Skaggs) Wiles
Died on 12/12/2018

Published in the Omaha World Herald December 17, 2018

Published in the Pilot-Tribune December 18, 2018

(Photo)

Evelyn Gayle Skaggs Wiles, 69, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2018, at her home in Springfield, Mo., after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Gayle was born Oct. 19, 1949, in Howell County, Mo., to Buford and Dora Skaggs, both of whom predeceased her.

Services were held Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield. A graveside service followed at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Gayle graduated from West Plains High School with the class of 1966 and was a proud “Zizzer.” She received her degree in elementary education from Missouri State University at Springfield, and her master’s degree in elementary supervision from The Citadel at Charleston, S.C.

In 1971, Gayle married Tom Wiles and to this marriage two daughters were born, Jennifer and Kristen. Tom and Gayle celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this year. They lived in Charleston, while Tom was in the U.S. Navy, then returned to West Plains, Mo., to raise their daughters.

Gayle worked as a teacher before she got married, and for a temporary agency while in South Carolina. In West Plains, she worked as a substitute teacher while raising her children and was home room mother for years while the girls were in elementary school. Gayle was active and supportive in the girls' activities. Later, she took pride in working for a local clothing boutique. In 2010, Gayle and Tom moved to Springfield, where they enjoyed the restaurants, shows, concerts, and other local activities, as well as traveling. Gayle never knew a stranger. Her five grandchildren were her pride and joy

Gayle was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, having transferred her membership from First United Methodist Church of West Plains. She had been a member of FUMC West Plains for many years, serving as Sunday School superintendent.

Gayle is survived by her husband, Tom Wiles, of the family home; daughters, Jennifer (Aaron) Barrow and their son Baylor and daughter, Linden, all of Blair, Kristen (Luke) Westerman and their daughters, Paige and Maci, and son Harrison Westerman, all of Springfield, Mo.; sisters, Katherine Bray, Vida Hall and Karen Henry; brothers, Kenneth Skaggs and John (Gay) Skaggs, all of West Plains, Mo.; sister-in-law Elizabeth (Dr. Lee) Godwin of Springfield, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Springfield, Mo., or First United Methodist Church, West Plains, Mo.

FindaGrave Memorial #195331618

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Printed in the Washington County Pilot-Tribune on 12/18/2018


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