L. Gayle Thornberry, Mother, Wife, Grammie, Sissy, Friend, Pastor, received her heavenly reward and inheritance on Monday, June 14, 2021 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.

Gayle was born in Yuma, Arizona on September 19, 1956, a daughter of the late Charles and Wanda (Atkins) Martin.

Pastor Thornberry received her Bachelor's Degree from Duke Divinity University in 2004 and was awarded the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. From 1999-2004, she was Pastor for GUMC in Abilene, Texas. Gayle then came to Virginia in 2004 and became the Pastor at Crimora United Methodist Church. In 2013 she received her Masters of Divinity from the Virginia Union University and later served on the Virginia Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. "We will miss her laughter, smile, wisdom, amazing personality, the humor, and most of all - the ways our Lord worked through her".

Surviving in addition to her husband, Wesley Thornberry of Staunton, Virginia, is a son, Daniel Keeton and wife Teri of Midland, Texas; a daughter, Kimberly Keeton and partner, Crystal of Woodward, Oklahoma; a sister, Dianne Sackrider and her husband Dale of Sun City, Arizona; two brothers, Jimmy Martin of Artesia, New Mexico and Chad Martin of Olton, Texas; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021 in the Saint Paul's United Methodist Church Family Life Center, Staunton, Virginia by Pastor and dear friend, Shawna Hiner.

A Celebration of life will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 26, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Olton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Gayle's memory to the WCA, 4545 Empire Court, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408. Online giving via the WCA website at https://wesleyancovenant.org/give/

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.