Gayle Davis Black

Gayle Davis Black- Dedicated wife, mother, nana, and friend to so many, passed away Sunday

October 16, 2022, at the age of 75 in Las Cruces, NM.



Gayle was born to Leroy and Beatrice Davis in Birmingham, AL in 1947. She was one of five

children, siblings that she loved so dearly. In 1966 she met the love of her life Douglas Black and they were later married in 1967. They built a wonderful life together, raising two amazing children, Michael and Giavonda in areas of the country that Douglas's military duties took them. Ft. Dix, NY, Ft. Knox/ Radcliff, KY then later White Sands Missile Range, NM. Gayle often held down the home front and cared for the children while Douglas was called away overseas on military orders. She attended McKendree University in Radcliff, KY to pursue her bachelor's degree in Social Work. Later continuing her education at New Mexico State University being placed in the Advanced standing MSW (Master of Social Work) program completing her first internship at CYFD in Las Cruces, NM and her second-year internship at the VA in El Paso, TX. Upon graduation, she was offered a position with the VA, becoming a Clinical Social Worker. Gayle absolutely loved her job and would often say she was never going to retire because she loved the people she worked with and enjoyed helping military veterans. Gayle continued her employment with the VA for over 23 years until she retired in September 2021. Gayle had a deep love for her family and her church family at Bethel Second Baptist Church. She has been a member of the church for 17 years and from the beginning, was instantly loved by all. She dedicated her time as the Food Service Director at the church and absolutely loved every minute she spent in the kitchen with her fellow ministry team. That love did not end in the church kitchen, she also loved cooking and baking for family and friends at home. Gayle had such a fierce and genuine love for her family often keeping in touch with siblings, nieces, nephews and always being there when her family needed her. Her grandchildren Aidan and Benjamin were her absolute joy and were the light of her life, she had such a close and unbreakable bond with them. Gayle was a stranger to no one and found purpose in sharing life stories with others. She enjoyed decorating, and always had beautiful large bouquets of flowers displayed both at the church and in her home. Having gatherings and bringing family and friends together was Gayle's enjoyment and highlights in her beautiful life. Gayle is preceded in death by her brother Willie Davis and son Michael Black. Gayle is survived by her husband Douglas Black, daughter Giavonda Laird, son in law Brett Laird, grandsons Aidan Laird and Benjamin Laird, siblings Norman (Pat) Davis, Ronald (Evelyn) Davis and Evalena Davis along with numerous nieces and nephews which she adored.

Visitation for Gayle will be held at Getz funeral home, located at 1410 E. Bowman Ave. on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Services will be at Bethel Second Baptist Church, located at 405 E Hadley Ave on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Masonic Cemetery with repass being held at the church directly after internment.