Obituary - Gayle Carter Harris

Gayle Carter Harris, 80, of Glen Allen, VA, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026. She was born on February 26, 1945, in Richmond, VA. Gayle was a loving mother and grandmother. She loved the Lord and spent time with Him every day. She served as a deacon and sang in the choir at Westhunt Baptist Church and later joined Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Gayle graduated from Patrick Henry High School and worked at the VA Baptist Board, F&M Bank, Bank of America, and First Citizens Bank. She is survived by her three daughters, Michelle Robertson, (Gary), Mandy Renfroe (Mike), and Martha Gayle Smook (Tim), and her grandchildren, Samuel and Lydia Robertson, Noah, Sawyer, and Brady Renfroe, and Nora Gayle Smook, and her brother Ernie Carter. She was preceded in death by her mother Helen Hamm. Gayle’s children and grandchildren were precious to her. She showed up at every performance and game for every child and grandchild. She drove her children to endless amounts of dance and piano lessons. She would drive for hours to see Mandy’s flute recitals at JMU and her students’ performances when she was a teacher. She even flew across the world three times to visit Michelle and her family in Africa. Gayle made one trip to Malawi and two trips to South Africa to see them. She was so faithful to send packages of magazines and goodies to her grandchildren in Africa. In eighteen years she only missed one of Martha’s dance recitals, softball games, school concerts, and plays. She attended many field trips, always bringing her Magic Cookies, and even chaperoned Martha’s senior trip to Washington, D.C. The beach was Gayle’s happy place. She loved taking her entire family there where she would walk for hours collecting shells, swim, float, and even boogie board. When her girls were young, she would help them learn to water ski by holding them as they stood up and then floating alone in the river until they fell and the boat came back to get her. Gayle also had a special place in her heart for animals. She wanted to take care of them all. She fed all of the cats that came to her door and gave treats to every dog she encountered. The dogs in her neighborhood knew to expect her on her walks down the road twice a day. Gayle loved the Lord and prayed constantly for her children. She read her Bible and her Open Windows devotional every day. She collected items for the Shoebox ministry throughout the year. She also worked with the Virginia Missionary Parents Fellowship with the International Mission Board. She enjoyed hymns and was able to sing them with her family even after her memory of many other things had gone. She was also so selfless. She would go without so that others could have. She would never eat the last of anything (or even the first), just in case someone else might want it. She gave her girls so many opportunities to try different things and discover their gifts and supported them in every endeavor. She was constantly thinking of ways that she could bless her grandchildren, bringing them treats and saving small toys and games for them that she usually picked up at her beloved Chick-fil-A. Gayle’s biggest joy to the end was seeing her girls. They are so thankful that they had such precious time with her before she went to be with Jesus. They know that she is healthy and happy, worshipping her Savior for eternity. Her last words to her girls were, “Rest well, Darlin,” and they say that now to her. The family will receive visitors on February 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bliley Funeral Home on Staples Mill. The funeral and reception will be held on February 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. There will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Mission Board.