Linda Gayle Wood Vickers

Linda Gayle Wood Vickers, age 63, of Jonesboro, Ark. passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 15, 2011 at St. Bernard's Medical Center. Gayle was employed with the City of Jonesboro as coordinator of the Community Development Grant Block Program. Gayle had an unfailing loyalty to community development and worked untold hours trying to improve the needs of others. Gayle was born in Morrilton, Ark. As a toddler, her family moved to California where she lived until 1978. Although she left California and moved to Arkansas, she continued to be a free spirit, a dreamer, full of life. Shortly after moving to Arkansas, God's hand guided Gayle to meet a single father raising his two kids. Gayle immersed herself into motherhood by raising the two children who grew to call her mother. Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, Carl J. Wood and Dollie Dee Wood Smith and by her brother, Bobby Fletcher Wood. Surviving is her daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Kay Smith and Jason Smith of Hot Springs; a son Samuel Redding Vickers of the U.S. Navy; and a granddaughter, Kaylee Smith of Hot Springs. Gayle was greatly anticipating the addition of a daughter-in-law, Paula Kivisto of Helsinki, Finland. For Jonesboro, Gayle was a beacon. Many in the Jonesboro community followed her light, as she led them to a better life. Since 2005, Gayle spent her time providing opportunity to those found in impoverished neighborhoods. She was their champion. She brought hope to those who saw no outlet for their dream of a better life. She had a gift of discernment. She saw the inner soul of someone, their inner gifts and strengths. Gayle worked endlessly to encourage every soul to seek their inner passion and guided them towards a better life. She often neglected her own needs to follow her vision for a better community. A visitation will be held Monday, May 23 from 5-7 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Ark. A small private service will be held for family. For more information, contact Gayle's immediate family. The family will be setting up a memorial fund to further her Gayle's endeavors with the Neighborhood Network Initiative with the city of Jonesboro. Please share your memories of her on Respectance.com. Online Registry: www.emersonfuneralhome.com.