The world gained a fierce and energetic spirit on February 6, 1947, when Gayle Black Smith was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Richard Patrick Black and Evelyn Louise Wagner. On November 17, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas we all said goodbye to a woman whose spark cannot be easily replicated.

Gayle lived her life with a rare combination of sharp wit, gentle understanding, and endearing goofiness that could send a whole room into laughter. A proud member of MENSA, she devoured books voraciously and without apology. She was also a legendary online shopper, managing to fill her house with gadgets that created just as much fun and laughter as they did efficiency. Echoing every ring of her doorbell today still is a family member laughing and asking, "is that QVC?"

But above all, Gayle loved her family. She celebrated them loudly, and treasured them deeply. Her house was the heart of countless memories, especially during her favorite holiday—Thanksgiving. No one could replicate her mother's stuffing or gravy, but Gayle made sure the tradition lived on, year after year, with endless warmth and just enough chaos. Christmas in Gayle's world was a day so highly anticipated by her family that talks of the next year would start during the given years Christmas dinner: every year had a theme, a unique and creative tradition that matched the fun and joyfully silly energy that Gayle brought to each gathering.

Yet the greatest love story of Gayle's life was the one she shared with her husband—a romance that could have been written by Nicholas Sparks himself. They danced through life together, literally and figuratively, with a tenderness and devotion that made everyone around them believe in soulmates. Whether swaying in the living room or laughing through a road trip together, Gayle and the love of her life lived a story worthy of the screen.

Gayle is survived by her husband James (Jim) Edward Smith, daughter Lisa Crissup (Shane), sons Peter Bodyk (Joy), Allen (A.J.) Bodyk and step-daughter Summer Smith. Grandchildren Journey Ottaway (Austin), Jordan Bodyk (Claire Hallmark) and Andrei Bodyk. Great grandchild Daphne Ottaway. Siblings Richard Black (Pat), Donna Cavallaro (Bob) and Lynn Olson (Dave). Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Richard Black, mother Evelyn Wagner Black and nephew Taylor Cavallaro.

Gayle was passionate, loyal, playful, brilliant, spunky, and loving in all the right ways. She understood the importance of family. She loved deeply. And she left a mark that will not soon fade.

Though she has stepped beyond this chapter of life, her laughter, her generosity, and her beautiful, cinematic love story will forever live in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

Services will be Saturday, November 22, 2025 with a viewing beginning at noon, service at 1:00 p.m. and burial at 2:00 p.m. at the Old Mission Mortuary and Cemetery, 3424 E. 21st Street, N.

Memorial contributions can be sent to St. Judes Children's Hospital or any charity of your choice.