Our classmate Gayle Margaret Chesteen (Mead) was born on 18 September 1956. She left us for a better place on the 26th of June 2002 at the age of 45. No details available.
Following graduation she attended the University of North Alabama, eventually transfering to Troy State University. At Troy state she earned a commission through the ROTC program with the USAF as a 2d Lt. in 1978. She entered active duty in 1980 and served her country until 1986. Somewhere along the way she got married to Mr. Mead. I have not been able to find his name or if they had any children. After serving in the Air Force she returned to the Huntsville area, living in Madison, where she died, still young by my standards.
Her father, James Hudson Chesteen, passed away in 2009 and her mother, Carole Slay Chesteen, passed away in 2011. Her brothers Mark and Robert and three othe step sisters are still living.
Her father divorced and remarried at some point and as a result, Gayle is also Lynne Root's step sister from her father's other marriage.
Gayle was one of my very best friends from school and we kept in touch off and on for many years. I visited her and husband Scott and 3 children in 1995 in Madison. When her Christmas cards were returned and her phone was no longer in service, I wondered why she didn't let me know. I hoped she would eventually contact me, but now I know why she never did. I am so sad that she is gone, but as sweet as she was, I know she is with her Father in heaven. We went to church together at St Stephen's Episcopal and were also in the youth group and had a lot of fun there. Gayle was one of those friends you could share anything with and she wouldn't judge you or put you down. She had a great sense of humor and a infectious laugh and once we started giggling, it was hard to stop. I was so proud of her when she joined the Air Force and finally learned to drive! We spent our Senior year with our little group of Debbie Cassady, Mira Gibson, and Deena Harris and we had so much fun together. I have many fond memories of all our Friday nights, football games, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, driving around Huntsville in the wee hours, sleepovers, and hanging out. Gayle wrote this poem in my yearbook which sums up our friendship.....
Friends by Gayle Chesteen
What are friends for? Friends are people you can talk to without feeling embarassed.
You share your love with them, you fight with them, you care about their feelings and they care about yours. Friends don't talk behind your back.
You do things with friends, laugh, cry and share other emotions with them. You stick together through thick and thin. Friends can tell moods that you are in and know what to say and how to act.
You can meet friends anywhere, and when you meet someone and something happens, you know you want the relationship to last forever and ever.
People grow up and move away, but no matter what, you still have memories of their love and companionship.
Friendship is a beautiful thing and can never be forgotten. Friendship is love.
I miss Gayle very much and would love to hear any details anyone has regarding her death.
Gayle was married to Scott Mead. They have three wonderful children. Christine, Elizabeth and Brian. At the time of Gayle's passing they were living in Madison. After our 20th class reunion my husband and I got to know the family quite well. Gayle loved her children more than anything both she and Scott were very active in their school and social activities. Scott changed jobs and moved from the area. I am sorry to say we have lost touch.
J. D. Webster
Our classmate Gayle Margaret Chesteen (Mead) was born on 18 September 1956. She left us for a better place on the 26th of June 2002 at the age of 45. No details available.
Following graduation she attended the University of North Alabama, eventually transfering to Troy State University. At Troy state she earned a commission through the ROTC program with the USAF as a 2d Lt. in 1978. She entered active duty in 1980 and served her country until 1986. Somewhere along the way she got married to Mr. Mead. I have not been able to find his name or if they had any children. After serving in the Air Force she returned to the Huntsville area, living in Madison, where she died, still young by my standards.
Her father, James Hudson Chesteen, passed away in 2009 and her mother, Carole Slay Chesteen, passed away in 2011. Her brothers Mark and Robert and three othe step sisters are still living.
Her father divorced and remarried at some point and as a result, Gayle is also Lynne Root's step sister from her father's other marriage.
If anyone can add more details, please do!
Pamela Dowdle (Ritch)
Gayle was one of my very best friends from school and we kept in touch off and on for many years. I visited her and husband Scott and 3 children in 1995 in Madison. When her Christmas cards were returned and her phone was no longer in service, I wondered why she didn't let me know. I hoped she would eventually contact me, but now I know why she never did. I am so sad that she is gone, but as sweet as she was, I know she is with her Father in heaven. We went to church together at St Stephen's Episcopal and were also in the youth group and had a lot of fun there. Gayle was one of those friends you could share anything with and she wouldn't judge you or put you down. She had a great sense of humor and a infectious laugh and once we started giggling, it was hard to stop. I was so proud of her when she joined the Air Force and finally learned to drive! We spent our Senior year with our little group of Debbie Cassady, Mira Gibson, and Deena Harris and we had so much fun together. I have many fond memories of all our Friday nights, football games, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, driving around Huntsville in the wee hours, sleepovers, and hanging out. Gayle wrote this poem in my yearbook which sums up our friendship.....
Friends by Gayle Chesteen
What are friends for? Friends are people you can talk to without feeling embarassed.
You share your love with them, you fight with them, you care about their feelings and they care about yours. Friends don't talk behind your back.
You do things with friends, laugh, cry and share other emotions with them. You stick together through thick and thin. Friends can tell moods that you are in and know what to say and how to act.
You can meet friends anywhere, and when you meet someone and something happens, you know you want the relationship to last forever and ever.
People grow up and move away, but no matter what, you still have memories of their love and companionship.
Friendship is a beautiful thing and can never be forgotten. Friendship is love.
I miss Gayle very much and would love to hear any details anyone has regarding her death.
Connie Tucker (Long)
Gayle was married to Scott Mead. They have three wonderful children. Christine, Elizabeth and Brian. At the time of Gayle's passing they were living in Madison. After our 20th class reunion my husband and I got to know the family quite well. Gayle loved her children more than anything both she and Scott were very active in their school and social activities. Scott changed jobs and moved from the area. I am sorry to say we have lost touch.