Gayla Pearson

Gayla Pearson, 82, of Ruidoso, NM passed away at her home August 9, 2021, surrounded by family.  Gayla was born in Abilene, Texas, to Ira (“Top”) and Gaynell Lambert on May 27th, 1939.  When Ira returned from WWII, the family moved from Bangs, TX to Abilene where Gayla would spend her beloved school age years.  She loved being the eldest of four children, Glo, Jackie and Stan, and made friends wherever she went.  She kept these friendships strong throughout her whole life and was referred to as the catalyst for her high school reunions and girlfriend weekends.

Gayla attended Abilene Christian College and was active in GATA.  She graduated in 1961 with her teaching degree and taught one year in Austin before marrying Richard Allen Pearson, Captain in the United States Air Force, in 1962.  They moved to Eglin AFB in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where they welcomed their first child, Ric, and then soon after moved to College Station, Texas where their second son, Patric, was born.

In 1969, Gayla and Dick decided to move their family to Ruidoso, New Mexico.  Gayla was involved in church, taught kindergarten and, not surprisingly, made friends immediately.  She ran her own children and teen clothing store, Tots & Teens, was on the school board, taught DECA at Ruidoso High School and became active in her local PEO group, of which she earned Golden Girl status in 2020 commemorating 50 years of active membership.

Gayla’s greatest joys came from her grandchildren.  She loved every minute she had with them.  She enjoyed watching them play sports, reading them stories, playing Sorry, going shopping, building forts, talking on the phone, Face Timing them, and commenting on their Instagram accounts.   She loved more than anything watching them grow up and become young adults.   To know Gayla, is to know her grandchildren.

Gayla is preceded in death by her father and mother Ira and Gaynell Lambert of Abilene, father and mother-in-law George and Imogene Pearson of Indiana, grandson Chase, and brother-in-law John Goen.  She is survived by her husband Dick, sons Ric (Sandy) of Texas, Patric (Chris) of Colorado, grandchildren Emma, Ivan, Karly, Roman, Reese and Owen, her siblings Glo (Joe Hays), Jackie Goen and Stan (Debbie) Lambert, Aunt Billie Hanley, many cousins, nieces and nephews and her many lifelong friends.  Services will be held at Comminity United Methodist Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 9:30 A.M.