PORT O’CONNOR – Debra Iletta Gayle, 55, of Port O’Connor, passed away Sunday, August 30, 2015.
Debbie was born on April 21, 1960, in Victoria, Texas. Her parents, Richard and Jenny (Ramos) Scott raised her in Port O’Connor, Texas, where she enjoyed growing up in the coastal lifestyle with a close extended family. She married Daniel Gayle on December 19, 1980. She always said her children Roxanne and Scott were her pride and joy. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Port O’Connor.
She graduated from Calhoun High School in 1978 and then studied business at Del Mar College. She later attended Victoria College and University of Houston-Victoria, studying child psychology and participating in many organizations for which she received a volunteer of the year award.
Debbie devoted her life to community service through work and as a volunteer. She worked in childcare, law, and non-profit social work. She volunteered for environmental, school, and community organizations.
Debbie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends most of all. She was a devoted, caring, and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. She loved to visit with family near and far of all ages. She especially enjoyed children and beamed with pride watching her own grandchildren grow. She enjoyed researching genealogy and teaching others about her family history.
She enjoyed going to the beach, sailing, riding motorcycles, traveling, cooking, sewing, fossil-hunting, scrapbooking, reading, writing, and helping others in the community. She was an inspiration to many with her resilience, strength, and determination.
Debbie is survived by her husband, Daniel Gayle, of Port O’Connor; son, Scott Allen Gayle of Port O’Connor; daughter, Roxanne Caye (Aaron Lee) Ochoa of Port O’Connor; grandsons, Antonio Daniel Gloria, Isaiah Adan Ochoa, and Helios Aaron Ochoa, all of Port O’Connor. She is also survived by her brothers, Ricky Allen Scott of Port O’Connor; Zeke (Marcie) Cano of Sinton; Johnny (Un) Perez of San Antonio; Rey (Maggie) Perez of Sugarland; and Adam (Tomasa) Perez of Brazoria; sister, Cenaida (Steve) Baldridge of Victoria; and sister-in-law, Rosa Perez of Brazoria. Debbie is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Newton Alfred (Iletta Clara Knopps) Scott and Luciano (Dolores Dominguez) Ramos; unborn granddaughter ‘Josephine’ Ochoa; biological mother, Tomasa Delagarza; brothers Salvador ‘Blue’ Perez, Perfecto Perez Jr., Lee Pedraza; sister Tomasita Perez; and several other beloved family members and friends.
Funeral mass was celebrated on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Tommy Chen officiating. Burial followed at Port O’Connor Cemetery.
