Gayla D. Teel-Whitt, 46, of Gallatin, died Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Services will be at 2 pm, Friday, May 18, First Christian Church, Gallatin. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Thursday at the Church. Burial in the McCrary Cemetery, Gallatin. Memorials to the Gayla Teel-Whitt Memorial Fund. Arrangements: McWilliams Funeral Home.
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Gayla was born Sept. 27, 1965, to Raymond and Doreen (McLaughlin) Rhoades near Gallatin, where she lived all of her life. Her passion for dance was evident at an early age, and she was given the opportunity to teach dance while in school; a dream come true. She graduated from Gallatin High School in 1983 and continued to be a dance instructor full time. She had studios in Trenton, Chillicothe, Bethany and Gallatin and specialized in tap, jazz and clogging. During her tenure she taught hundreds of children, and during that time was instrumental in molding and developing their skills. Many of her students won state and national competitions which took them to Tenn., Ken., and Iowa. She made lasting relationships wherever she went. As well as teaching dance you could find Gayla working at John’s Gas & Goods where she was employed for nine years and later at the Corner Café followed by Casey’s General Store. She also had a housekeeping business that she worked on the side. Gayla never shied away from hard work and her motto was "do what you gotta do to get the job done." Gayla was always able to handle any job she had with ease and did what it took to provide for her family.
Gayla was a member of the First Christian Church, and with her faith and church family was able to cope for many years with cancer. She also enjoyed making jewelry, but her real passion was deer hunting. In the spring you could find her mushroom hunting and she always had time to fish. She adored her children, and taking care of their needs was a priority. Darrell was the love of her life and she treasured the time she spent with him. Gayla was devoted to her family, loved her grandkids and when she was in the fight for her life with her battle with cancer she was always thinking of others. She was truly remarkable; her strength, compassion and sheer grit will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Survivors: companion Darrell Whitt, Gallatin, father, Raymond (Kathy) Rhoades, Gallatin, mother, Doreen (Vic) Hacker, Winston, children, Dustin (Sarah), Derrick and Dannette Teel, Gallatin, Jeffrey (Amy) Dixon, Trenton, brothers, Larry (Janet) Rhoades, Gallatin, Allen (Angel) Rhoades, Winston, step-brothers Jerin (Adeena) Almond, Kansas City, Steve (Stacy) Hacker, Chillicothe, Troy (Heather) Hacker, Springfield, Craig (Kelly) Hacker, Lawson, Dennis (Evelyn) Hacker Ludlow, seven grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.