Gayle Lynette Pickney

On November 11, 1958, Alexander and Lucille Williamson welcomed their fifth and (final) baby into the world. Sorry Alex! It’s another girl! Her mother’s sister, Ona, named her, Gayle Lynette. Most people just called her “Gay.” She loved fish’n on the pond, playing basketball & pick’n cucumbers by the tons. (Not!)  As evening turned to dusk, you could often hear ’sounds of music ‘ringing’ thru-out the neighborhood by a band Gay put together with cousins Benny June & Faye. Since her birthday came after the school registration date, she graduated from Blevins High School in 1977.  Following high school, she ‘dabbled’ in, college and worked in various food service industries where she would ‘meet’ her ‘calling.’ Gay met a couple also working in the industry who thought her ‘talents’ would serve well in “Dallas” where they were heading. Gay later moved to Dallas and became ‘widely’ known in the restaurant business. Her customers adored her.  She never met a stranger. The girl could “Talk.!” While ‘managing’ “The Diner”, she was frequently featured in the Dallas Morning News Paper Cooking delicious meals and serving people in and with a great ‘atmosphere. She would later open The Caboose.  A Train Style Eatery, where she was ‘beloved’ from business executives to the diner’s waiters. It’s kinda hard to believe the ‘chef’ she became once asking sister Charlotte, “how do you fix chili in a can?”  

The Dallas Cowboys was her favorite team! And trying out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders became one of her dreams. Although she didn’t make the ’cut’ she could mark that off her bucket list of dreams.  No doubt about it, Gay filled her life doing the ‘things’ (she) loved… like. Hopping on a plane with little notice to visit family or friends and sometime just flying to ‘States’ she’d never been. Gay loved entertaining friends and loved ones with elegant dinner parties. Now, don’t make her ‘mad’ or arrive late! There’s reason she was called, “Gator Bait!”

A friend’s call led her to California where she lived many years. She loved the beach. and became a ‘California Girl. Again, she heard a ‘call’ leading her back to the “Natural State,” Arkansas.  She made her home in Arkadelphia with Myrt & family for many years. Since she was known as “Southern Girl in the City Lights” Hot Springs, AR caught her eye. And so did Harold Pickney who lived there. They were later married until God called him home in March, 2021. Gay said wanted to ‘fly’ (east) one more time. After a brief’ illness, she took wings in ‘flight’ in the early am of October 12, 2022. But in a different direction. North. The friendly skies of heaven. “Fly on Gay”. (Later…Later…

Her laughter and giving spirit will be cherished by her sisters:  Myrtle Smith of Arkadelphia; Sister Charlotte (Rondy) Briggs of Nashville, AR: As well as many nieces, nephews, cousins & beloved Aunts: Bobbie, Essie & Helen s as well as many loved ones and friends. A ‘Special; friend through the years, “Cres” of Dallas, TX.

A ‘Recognition’ of *Family Members gone on….

Her Parents, Alexander (Bear) & Lucille Williamson, Emmett

Sisters: *Annie (Larry)McGill, Little Rock, AR

Sister: *Brenda Hayden & Nephew *Chabli Hayden, formerly of Prescott and a Special Brother-in-law, the late Rev. Raymond Smith, formerly of Arkadelphia, AR.

Submitted by the Family

Services commemorating the life of Gayle Lynette Williamson Pickney will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Antioch Cemetery in Emmett, Arkansas Rev. Rondy Briggs, eulogist.