Gayla Fielder

Gayla Lewis Fielder, 78, longtime Abilene resident, died on Friday, August 17, 2018 in Abilene following a brief and courageous battle with cancer.  She was met at Heaven’s Gate by her precious Savior Jesus and her loving husband, Joe, with whom she is celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary on August 18.

 Visitation will be Sunday, August 19th from 3-5pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, August 20th at 2pm at First Baptist Church with Dr. Phil Christopher and C.V. Blake officiating.  Services are under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Gayla was born on July 27, 1940 to James Oliver Lewis and Mable Clara Burklow Lewis in Sweetwater, Texas.  She was the youngest of 6 children.  She graduated from Divide High School in 1958 after being involved in cheerleading, basketball, class officer, corral, Miss DHS, Annual Staff, Class favorite and FHA.  She Graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and followed that up several years later with a Master’s in Special Education.  She taught both regular and Special Education in Abilene ISD for 33 years, 32 of which were at Anson Jones Elementary.  She had an incredible teaching career, and touched the lives of countless children and colleagues.  She married the love of her life, Joe A. Fielder on August 18, 1961 at North Park Baptist Church, where they were active members in the early years of their marriage.  They moved their membership to First Baptist Church in 1975 and became active members there.  Gayla was involved in the children’s ministry, Women on Missions, served on the GLO advisory board, and was ordained and served as a Deacon.  She spent years serving and ministering in the Citylights ministry and preparing meals and arranging beautiful flowers for families and friends in the bereavement ministry. 

Gayla and Joe built a full and busy life in Abilene.  They were blessed with 2 children, Melinda and Russell, and were actively involved in their lives and activities, never missing a game, performance, competition or celebration.  This commitment to family continued with their 4 precious grandchildren and all their activities as well.  In town, out of town, it did not matter.  They traveled to all that they could, football, soccer, band, dance, cheer, martial arts, softball, and baseball and were so proud of all that their kids and grandkids did.  They were lifelong fans of the AHS Eagles and held season football tickets for over 50 years.  They traveled to support Eagle football, basketball, and baseball games, even long after their children and grandchildren were finished participating in those activities.  Travel was also a huge part of their lives, they loved to travel by car, travel trailer, plane, and cruise ship.  They loved it all.  They were able to get to almost every state in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as many foreign countries.   She has a large extended family whom she was very close to and adored.  She and Joe were like second parents of many of their nieces and nephews as well as friends of Russell and Melinda.  She and Joe also enjoyed playing games and dominoes with family and friends.  She enjoyed a wonderful weekend at her family reunion and a night of dominoes with friends just days before entering the hospital. 

Gayla was always prepared and could host a party or prepare a meal or flowers at a moment’s notice.  She had a huge servant’s heart and loved to host parties and events in their beautiful home and was a consummate hostess.  No request, event or activity was too small or too big.  She went above and beyond to make every detail perfect, and make everyone feel like her favorite person, best friend, or most important guest.  Gayla had a wonderful sense of style, was always impeccably dressed, and loved to shop, for anyone or anything.  She had a knack for always finding the best sales, she never paid full price for anything.    The impact she has made on those around her is immeasurable, and she leaves some incredibly large, but always fabulous and stylish shoes to fill.  She is already greatly missed. 

Gayla was preceded in death by her loving husband Joe, her parents, grandparents, sisters Lillie Jo Lewis, Neta Harendt, and Nelda Harendt, and brother Ray Lewis.

Gayla is survived by daughter Melinda Payne and husband Chas, son Russell and wife Shannon, a brother Don Lewis and wife Sue, grandchildren Alyssa, Hunter, and Makenna Payne and Riley Fielder, numerous, precious nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family, dear friends from church, neighborhood and school that she loved like family and her sweet fur baby Bentley.

Honorary Pallbearers will be her nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice or First Baptist Church GLO or Citylights ministries.  The family would like to thank Dr. Anton Melnyk, Dr. Nancy Daggubati, Dr. Rae Ann Hamilton, Dr. Bill Haynes, the staff on P6, P7 and ICU at Hendrick Medical Center, and Hendrick Hospice.