Gayle Matthews Majors

Gayle Matthews Majors, 68 of Newport News, Virginia, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2022. 

Gayle was born on June 30th, 1954, to Emmett and Hortense Watson Matthews in Richmond, Virginia. 

Attending church services with her family at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Gayle accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. Loving the Lord, she continued her earlier spiritual journey by attending Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia as well as Little Zion Baptist in Williamsburg, Virginia.  She served in the choir and on the Usher Board and other church auxiliaries, as needed. Gayle was a member of New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News, VA where she served on the Deaconess Board.  She completed her earthly service to the Lord as a faithful member of the Transportation Corps Regimental Memorial Chapel where she served on the Hospitality Committee.

Gayle was among the first students to integrate Huguenot High School. After graduating from Huguenot in 1972, she went on to study in the field of education at Virginia State College (University). After graduating with a degree in special education, she began her first job with Head Start in Williamsburg, kickstarting a 40 plus year career in education. 

Gayle met the love of her life, Curtiss Eugene Majors at Yorktown Beach, Virginia in 1981. They married July 1st, 1983. Their holy union produced two beautiful daughters, Ebony Majors and Brittany Majors Garrett.  Gayle’s greatest joy was the birth of her first granddaughter, Journi.

Around 2016, Gayle retired from Newport News Public Schools and enjoyed spending her time with her family, shopping, attending church and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). 

Her many accomplishments included being one of the first African American models for Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimers Department Stores while attending high school. She had an exceptional flair for fashion.  During her later years, she was named the Newport News’ Teacher of the Year for the 2002 – 2003 school year. 

Gayle was well loved, cherished, and respected by the young and old.  She had an infectious personality and a gift for storytelling.  She would tell a story that would keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the conclusion.  She was well loved by children due to her cheerful disposition.  She was always singing, dancing, or sharing some personal tidbit about the child or their parent. Her nieces and nephews thought the world of her.  She seemed to always “talk their language” or give them sound advice.

As far as her career in working with children, she left an impressive legacy. Her commitment, fortitude, sincerity, and generosity touched the lives of many children within school settings.  She enjoyed sharing heartwarming stories of students and was lovingly remembered by former students and parents years after the children moved on. 

Gayle was also extremely generous.  She literally would give you the “dress” off her back if you said that you liked it.  She unselfishly shared with others, as she worried about people going without.  

Gayle was predeceased by her parents, Emmett and Hortense Matthews. She leaves to celebrate her life her husband of 39 years, Curtiss E. Majors, daughters Ebony Majors (Fiancé Tim DeBerry), Brittany Majors Garrett (Tim), granddaughter Journi Garrett, sisters Joyce Watson (G. Lewis), Patricia Radcliffe (Glenn), and a host of family and friends.