Lucille Gayle
March 12, 2015
Lucille Leatha Gayle, 85, was born April 29, 1929 in Camaguey, Cuba, to Jamaican parents, Selvyn and Estie (Blythe) Gayle. Lucille moved to Jamaica when she was just a child. She later moved to the United States in 1964 as an adult and settled in New York City. She graduated from nursing college and worked as a CNA. She was a resident of the New York area for much of her life and worked in the healthcare arena as a caregiver for over 40 years in New York City before retirement. She moved to Des Moines in 2011 to reside with her son, Carl.
Ms. Lucille passed away peacefully in her own bedroom Thursday, March 12, 2015 at her home in Des Moines under the passionate care of UnityPoint Hospice in a prayerful moment with her son, Sherwin, a family friend, and the hospice nurse by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Selvyn and Estie; aunt, Arabella Johnson; and grandmother, Mary (Drummond) Blythe. Lucille cared for her mother, aunt and grandmother at home in their declining years. She was a compassionate person who gave tirelessly, selflessly, and generously of herself.
She is survived by her sons, Carl McPherson of Des Moines, IA and Sherwin McCalla of Newark, NJ; as well as numerous cousins in the U.S., Canada, England and Jamaica. Ms. Lucille had a very strong will for the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved by the blood of Christ.
Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines, with a visitation period for an hour prior to the funeral. Ms. Lucille will be laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery in Linden, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society to promote further research to find a cure - via www.cancer.org.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Carl M. McPherson
05/21/2015
I thank all who have attended the services for Mom, the callers, email and card senders, the phone callers, visitors at home, Unity Point Hospice, Chaplain Pam Avoux and staff of Lutheran Church of HOPE, and the staff of Hamilton's Funeral Services, in everyone's expressions of love, caring, thoughtfulness, warm words of comfort, and your gentle but strong support. You blessed us, Mom's family, and honored Mom and us with your generosity, friendship, and memorials. Thank you.
Carrie (Kae) Coppock
03/16/2015
I wish to say that my life has been enriched by my friendship with Lucille. Her love and faithfulness to her Savior, her family, her friends, and to me was so evident in her actions, words and loving deeds. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her life and memory will forever comfort mine. It has been a blessing to know that this woman of God loved me.