Gayle Elaine Wilcox

A beautiful voice and a beautiful heart… Gayle Elaine Ayres Wilcox of Stevensville, Maryland, joined the choir of Angels on August 9, 2022 at 81 years old. Born November 1, 1940, Gayle was the youngest of 5 children born to the late Harry Homer Ayres and Gladys Mae Peters. She was born in Washington DC and grew up in West Lanham Hills, Md. She loved music and has been singing and playing guitar since she was 12 years old. She performed with various country music groups in the DC area. At 16 she lied about her age in order to travel with a USO tour to Iceland, the Azores and Newfoundland; entertaining the troops during the Korean war. For about a year Gayle appeared on the local TV show; “Don Owens Country Jamboree”. After graduating from Bladensburg High School in 1958, she taught guitar part time at the College Park School of Music while attending the University of MD. It wasn’t long before Gayle fell in love and married William Ray Price, September 24, 1960 and later became a mother to two little girls, Lisa Marie and Pamela Rae. Although the marriage didn’t last, Gayle did her best for her girls that she loved more than life. On May 6, 1967 Gayle married Charles B. Wilcox Jr., a DC fireman, and the family moved to Lanham, Md. Gayle focused on raising her girls. She continued to play and sing for family and friends. In 1977 the family relocated to Kent Island as Charlie looked to retirement and the girls began High School. They built Gayle’s dream home in Tower Gardens where she was active in her community and served as the welcome committee for all the new families moving to this new and growing neighborhood. Gayle was part of a ladies’ duckpin bowling league for decades; she served as treasurer of the Eastern Shore Treasure Club (metal detecting) for over 30 years; she was awarded a life membership at the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post 278 after supporting them for over 35 years; 16 of those as vice-president. Gayle was part of the 5% in every organization that you can count on to volunteer for whatever was needed, and she did it with a smile. Gayle was so happy when a Lutheran church was founded on the island and has been ever present in the Living Water Lutheran Church for nearly 25 years. She loved playing and singing in the church choir but as always, she would step in where ever she was needed. Members tell me, whatever the need, Gayle was there. Gayle lost her beloved Charlie in 2009 and her youngest daughter Pam in 2015. The dream home became too big and lonely. In 2019 she and her kitty, Sami moved to an apartment at Terrapin Grove. She was so happy there and would share this with all who asked. Ever the social butterfly, she became active in this new community; playing Bingo, cooking for the Friday night pot-luck dinners, playing cards with friends, joining a lunch bunch and making people smile. Neighbors tell me she always had a smile and would take the time to sit and catch up. Through the years Gayle continued to sing and play her beloved ‘42 Gibson Southern Jumbo for family and friends. Her favorite music was Bluegrass. She would seek out local musicians gathering to play from Davidsonville, down to Shady Side, east to Suddlersville, and anywhere in between. She organized some great jams at her local American Legion post. It was amazing to see so many artists of all ages gather to share their love of music. Right up until her passing she could be found at the Kent Island Yacht Club, where friends would convince her to join the band. Once on stage, she was back in the groove. Everyone loved to hear her sing. Her voice was truly a blessing from God. Gayle is survived by her beloved daughter Lisa Marie Fairbank (Price), her son-in-law Eric R. Fairbank from Harwood, Md and her kitty cat, Sami. She is reunited with her daughter Pamela Rae Hickman (Price), her husband Charles B. Wilcox Jr., her parents Harry H. Ayres and Gladys Mae Peters and 4 siblings, Harry H. Ayres Jr., Robert Phillip Ayres, Carole Kay Bailey (Ayres) and Norma Jean Merricks (Ayres), along with her 1st husband. Services will be held September 23 at 11am with an hour before for visitation at Living Water Lutheran Church in Christ Episcopal Church, 830 Romancoke Rd Stevensville, MD 21666. Fellowship and lunch will follow at 12:30pm next door at the Kent Island American Legion, 800 Romancoke Rd Stevensville, MD 21666. Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Water Lutheran Church livingwaterlutheran.org or the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary post 278.

Gayle Elaine Wilcox

November 1, 1940 - August 9, 2022