Gayla Ann Early

Gayla Ann Early passed away peacefully on Monday, February 14, 2022 at the age of 65. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Ben and Dorothy Staley on Feb. 15, 1956.

Gayla is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Early, of the home in Tuttle, Oklahoma; three sons and their families; Kevin Early and wife, Marci of Yukon, Oklahoma, Charles Early and partner, James, of Van Buren, Arkansas, and Brian Early and wife, Precila, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; Beau Early and daughters Avari, Jaelynn, Remington, and Stevie Dawn; Rhett Early, and partner, Cassie Davis; Robert Simon and wife, Maggie and their daughter, Sadie; Rylie Early and partner, Gavin Keel, and their daughter, Ella; Braiden Early; Waimea Early; and Weston Early; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family. Gayla was preceded in death by her parents, Ben David Staley and Dorothy Lillian Freeman Staley; infant daughter, Keisha Ann Novotny; a brother, Ben Staley; and her sister, Stella Staley McDonald Harbit.

Gayla began elementary school in Oklahoma City until the age of nine when the family relocated to Miami, Oklahoma where she attended school through her junior year of high school. She graduated from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She began working soon after high school, including a period at Hertz Rental Car before beginning her career as a city employee in Mustang, Oklahoma.

She held positions in several departments within the city and Mustang Police department, served as municipal court clerk for Mustang, and named as a district representative of the Oklahoma Municipal Court Clerk Association. She retired from the city of Mustang in 2021 after 37 years of service.

She met her future husband on a blind date set up by mutual friends in 1976.

The couple married on Dec. 9, 1977 and celebrated their 44th anniversary in 2021. The couple made their first home briefly in Oklahoma City before moving to Mustang in 1978. As her sons became involved in school and sports, Gayla was their number one cheerleader, score-keeper, and treasurer of Boy Scout Troup, 398. She and Bob enjoyed fishing and camping with the family.

Other hobbies included travel, gardening, and shopping. She collected pigs, frogs, and continued her mother’s salt and pepper collection. She was competitive and loved to play games with her children, grandchildren, and friends.

She and Bob continued traveling and visited England, France, Hawaii, Aruba, Cancun, Niagara Falls, Canada, as well as several states and enjoyed two Caribbean cruises.

Gayla was the proud wife of an U.S. Air Force veteran, mother of a U.S. Air Force veteran, mother of an active-duty U.S. Air Force service member, as well a grandmother of an active-duty US Marine Corp service member.

Her friends and family remember her asalways having a smile on her face and making you feel like she was so happy to see you. Gayla gave of herself to her family and friends unselfishly. She will be missed by those that knew, loved, and cherished her.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at 10 a.m., McNeil’s Funeral Chapel, 525 W Highway 152, Mustang, Oklahoma under the direction of McNeil’s Funeral Service with Reverend Larry Hunter officiating.

Viewing will take place Friday 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., at McNeil’s.

The service will be live streamed through Facebook at the following link: www.face book.com/mcneilsfuneralhome