Gayle Owenby Metcalf died peacefully on October 17, 2026, after a courageous journey with Cutaneous T-cell Cancer and other health issues. Gayle chose to live life fully – enriching her life with the people she met along the way even while managing these health matters.
Gayle’s husband, David Metcalf, and their son, Spencer Metcalf, predeceased Gayle. Both of Gayle’s men were a great source of love, happiness, and comfort to her. After their deaths, her extensive circle of friends became her family. Gayle has left these comments in gratitude for her friends: “I thank them for all the love and support and happiness they have given me. Their sharing of themselves and the inclusion with their families was a tremendous gift.”
Gayle also wrote these words of appreciation: “Being a wife and mother defined my life. During most of my adult life, I taught piano. Inspiring young minds was my passion. Each and every one of those students had their own special gift and each gave me happiness as they grew in age and ability. I thank each of them and their families for all of the pleasure and happiness they gave me.”
Gayle and her husband, David, traveled widely to over fifty countries, seeing places where the events of their generation occurred and more—walking on the Great Wall of China, standing in Tiananmen Square, sailing the Aegean Sea in a gulet, and visiting the cities of the great composers of classical music.
Gayle and David moved to Decatur in 1980 by way of Minnesota, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Gayle considered herself privileged during her time in Decatur to be part of The Decatur Music Club, Chapter U of PEO Sisterhood, and the Troweler’s Garden Club among other activities. In addition, Dinner Club, Bunco friends, and great neighbors were sources of happiness.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either The Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Foundation, www.cl-foundation/giving-online, or St. John’s Episcopal Church, 202 Gordon Drive, S.E., Decatur Alabama 35601.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. A prelude of piano music will commence at 10:30 a.m.
