Gayla Holley Tekell, 48, passed away Aug 17, 2010 in her home. She was born Oct 7, 1961 in Waco to Weldon Wayne Holley and Frances Moore Holley. Gayla attended Italy High School and acquired a BA at Baylor University and an MA at UNT. She was a member of Southmont Baptist Church, where she completed mission work and was a member of the school PTA. She taught private swimming lessons at her home and was a Spanish teacher at UNT for many years. Gayla and Terry Wayne Tekell were married in Italy on Sept 17, 1983.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 W. Unviersity Drive in Denton. Funeral is Friday, August 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Southmont Baptist Church, 2801 Pennsylvania Drive in Denton with Rev. Bruce Troy officiating. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Gayla is survived by her husband, Terry Wayne Tekell of Denton; her parents, Weldon and Frances Holley of Italy; 1 daughter, Haley, 2 sons; Daniel and fiancé Johnna Patterson and Dylan; 1 brother, Kyle Holley and wife Kristi of Italy; 2 nephews, Kolton and Kort Holley and 1 niece, Karson Holley; mother-in-law, Pat Smith and husband Rick Smith; sister-in-law Natalie Wood and husband Perry Wood.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Gayla Tekell Memorial Mission Fund c/o Southmont Baptist Church.