The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996            TAG: 9602070388
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: CARROLLTON                         LENGTH: Short :   30 lines

ELEX P. GAYLE

Elex Phonzer Gayle, 95, of 16010 Gayle Way, died Monday, Feb. 5, 1996, in Hillhaven Nansemond Nursing Home, Suffolk.

He was a native of Isle of Wight County and a retired in 1965 from Newport News Shipyard as a crane operator. Mr. Gayle was a member of Whiteheads Grove Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and trustee and a member of the Men's Bible Class. He was a charter member and an honorary life member of the Carrollton Ruritan Club and a member of the Isle of Wight Carrollton Senior Citizens Group.

He is survived by 16 nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Whiteheads Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Leonard officiating. Burial will follow in Whiteheads Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. in Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield, and at other times in the home of Paul and Shirley Wilson, 18390 Oliver Drive, Smithfield. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 97, Smithfield, Va. 23431, or the Carrollton Volunteer Fire Dept., 15020 Carrollton Blvd., Carrollton, Va. 23314.

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB