Our mother, Gayle Lilly Compton, 86, of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 21, 2022, following a brief respiratory illness. A native of Princeton, West Virginia, Gayle was born October 11, 1936, to her loving parents, Ernest, and Wilma "Billie" Lilly. An only child, Gayle was the apple of her father's eye and a popular teen in the Princeton community.

A graduate of Princeton High School, Gayle attended Mary Baldwin College and later graduated with a degree from Averett College. On December 20, 1958, Gayle married the love of her life, Lynwood "Skip" Compton in a beautiful ceremony that was the talk of the town. Shortly thereafter, the happy couple moved to Florida where Skip earned a degree at Stetson University. Together, through many moves around the country and many adventures together, she lived a full life with her beloved husband, best friend, and soul mate who preceded her in death in 2016.

An avid horsewoman, Gayle developed a successful suburban horse ranch in Brandon and later, Davie, Florida. Throughout her life, family, friends, and animals were her joy. When Skip retired from corporate life in 1982, the couple returned to the home of their roots living in Princeton, before settling into an enchanted retirement at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

Possessed with a generous spirit, for many years Gayle quietly donated to many causes. But, two groups, children in need and wounded soldiers, were individuals that particularly touched her soul. This suited her servant heart in a way first taught to her by her father. Her life was a living example of her one of her favorite quotations attributed to John Wesley, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

Gayle is survived by her sons, David and Mark of West Palm Beach and Myrtle Beach, respectively; David's wife, Emmy and Mark's fiancée, Lisa; grandchildren, Nicholas, Johnathan, and Victoria; three stepgrandchildren, Johmar, Lana, and Ryan; and two great-grandchildren, Devon and Damien Compton. Each was dearly loved by Gayle who had deeply touched their lives. She will be dearly missed indeed.

A celebration of Gayle's life is planned in Roanoke during her most favorite of times, the Christmas season. Online condolences may be made at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service - South Chapel, Roanoke, Va., (540) 989-3131.