Gayle H. Persons

Mrs. Gayle Persons, 82, of Shuqualak, MS passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, TN. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1 :00 pm. At Cockrell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in Pinetucky Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Pinetucky Cemetery Fund, c/o Kathy Persons, 2386 Hwy 39, Shuqualak, MS 39361. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Gayle Hisaw Persons was born on July 25, 1943, to Robert Edward and Annie Beth Fuller Hisaw in the Ellison Ridge Community. Gayle graduated from Nanih Waiya Attendance Center and after graduation went to work at Noxubee General Hospital where she met the love of her life, Benny Persons. She went to work for TWL in Macon for several years until her children were born. Later she took over the Shuqualak bus route for Central Academy private school in Macon and drove for over 30 years. Gayle considered those children her babies. Most recently Gayle worked for ten years for BankFirst in Macon before retiring. She attended church at Shuqualak Baptist Church but was a lifelong member of Ellison Ridge Baptist Church. At home, Gayle enjoyed helping Bennie in the hayfield baling hay and with the care and feeding of their cattle herd. Her hobbies included gardening and mowing her yard, but her primary joy in life was taking care of her family. Gayle was known to all as being a person of integrity who was full of wisdom and who always told her truth. She used these qualities as the basis for leading and teaching her family about having a good life. She was a great listener and no matter what she was told, all secrets were safe with her.

Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Dorothy Gutierrez (Joe), Joy Ming (Van Dorn), Fant Hisaw, Bert Hisaw, and brothers: Berlin Hisaw (Virginia), Embree (Emp) Hisaw (Willie Pearl) and Marion (Bubbie) Hisaw.

Gayle will be sorely missed by her daughter: Kathy Persons of Shuqualak, MS.; her faithful companion and protector: Buddy and by several nieces and nephews.