Gaynelle D Sutherland

Born March 22, 1944, in Hondo, she was the daughter of Arthur Twitchell Dale and Thelma Ozell Bilhartz Dale. Gaynelle grew up with two brothers and a sister whom she loved dearly. Raised in the Lutheran Church, she knew her Lord and Savior and was certain of where she would be spending eternity. This gave her, and those around her, great comfort in her final days. She graduated from Hondo High School in 1962, and then attended Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, where she met the love of her life, Bailey Gayle Sutherland. They were married on September 7, 1963, and this year celebrated 63 years of marriage. They moved to Victoria, TX following their wedding and Gaynelle worked for a Chiropractor while they lived there, and in 1965 they welcomed their daughter, Judy Gayle. They moved to Austin, and two years later welcomed their son, Todd Dale, in 1969.

Over the next 20 years Gaynelle worked various jobs, and even enjoyed a two-year adventure in Australia, but homemaker and Mother was by far her most treasured title. Her love for gardening, cooking and baking not only provided delicious meals, but was full of comfort and love. A life of service to others was spent mostly behind the scenes, never seeking recognition, just satisfaction of a job well done.

In 1991 Gaynelle and Bailey bought a golf car and lawn equipment business and moved to Marble Falls. With no formal business training, Gaynelle ran the office with a sharp pencil, balancing to the penny every day, throughout their time in business. Her instinct and intuition were traits that Bailey trusted and valued. Retiring in 2011, allowed them to get back to their real loves…family, square dancing and travel.

Gaynelle’s reign as ‘Mimi’, to her five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren began in 1995. They were truly the sparkle in her eyes that brought joy to her life. She loved them like no other, but her love did not stop there. From babysitting her grands to just visiting family, her goal was to make you feel loved and seen, and to always put others before self. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt, friend and just an all-around wonderful person. Her gift giving ability always included a heavy dose of sentimental thoughtfulness and her love and kindness were always felt by the many people she shared life with.

She and Bailey spent over 50 years in the square-dancing community, and that was certainly a group that was like family to her, and brought her great joy. In fact, she described dancing at the 75th National Convention this past June as ‘the time of her life’. Frequently, they could be tracked square dancing two to three times a week. They both felt that it was good for your mind, body, & soul. This activity tied in well with their love for travel through Camping Squares.

They loved taking to the road, whether with children, grandchildren, or just on their own. She enjoyed exploring the country she loved, and expressed that with her love for flags and plenty of red, white and blue attire, especially around July 4th. Watching full moons was something else she loved to do, and would contact the family when there was a particularly special moon, to make sure that we too could share the experience. It was truly perfect that she passed peacefully during a Harvest Moon.

Her gentle smile, big heart, and sweet demeanor with a little bit of spunk will be dearly missed by many.

Gaynelle is proceeded in death by her parents, Arthur & Thelma Dale, brothers, James David Dale & John Alan Dale, and grandson Kyle Dale Miller.

She is survived by her husband, Bailey Sutherland, Daughter Judy (Robert) Miller; Son, Todd (Susan) Sutherland; Grandchildren, Bryan Miller, Brittany (Weston) Schultz, Brooke (Elijah) Russell, Skylar (Logan) Parsons, Trevor Sutherland; Great-Grandchildren, Lilah Grace Schultz, Henry Jace Schultz, and Shepherd Samson Russell; Brother, A.T. (Patti) Dale; Sister, Deborah (Milton) Brown, and many other in-laws and nieces & nephews.

A Celebration of Gaynelle’s Life will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Marble Falls on Monday, October 12th at 1:00pm.