Gayle Elaine Jones

Gayle Elaine Jones, 78, of Hailey, Idaho, passed away on August 21, 2025. She was born on May 10, 1947, in Horton, Kansas, to Charles Benton Jones and Beth Elaine Jones.

Gayle had a way of lighting up every room she entered, with her signature side ponytail and those unforgettable smiling eyes that seemed to see right through your nonsense. She was a woman of quirks and charm, with a heart as big as her sense of humor.

She grew up alongside her siblings, her older sister Terri, younger sister Debbie, and younger brother Rodney. Terri fondly remembers that she and Gayle were born just one year and one day apart, keeping their mother very busy in those early years. Gayle was always spirited and full of mischief, shocking her family with her love of eating butter straight from a spoon, and later making them laugh when, well into her thirties, she climbed onto a mechanical horse outside a store, begging their dad for a quarter to ride. True to form, Gayle’s humor had a way of delighting others—even if it left her dad looking for a place to hide.

Gayle spent many years working as a cashier at the local grocery store, where her quick wit and kindness made her a familiar face in the community. She was outgoing and playful, always ready to joke and laugh with those around her. She loved to go to the beach to search for pretty shells, often keeping them displayed on her dresser for years.

Her passions filled her life with joy: she loved reading Stephen King, playing video games, shopping, decorating for Halloween, and collecting movies, building a DVD library that could rival a rental store. She adored spooky movies, had a lifelong fondness for Betty Boop, and celebrated New Year’s Eve with pizza and the ball drop as though it were a holiday made just for her. Her beloved cat, Ebony, was her closest companion and a true source of comfort.

Gayle’s playful nature was matched by her resilience. When life didn’t go as planned, she’d laugh it off as “operator error.” And no matter what she was facing, her answer to “How are you doing?” was always, “Fine and dandy.” She carried that joyful spirit through every chapter of her life.

Gayle is survived by her sister, Terri Elwood, her best friend, Jody, seven grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Beth, her sister Debbie, and her brother Rodney.

We will forever miss her joyful voice, her laughter, and her warmth, but we know she is safe and well, now in the arms of God. Funny, stylish, spooky, and one of a kind, Gayle wasn’t just unforgettable; she was quintessentially herself. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Arrangements are under the compassionate care of Wilks Magic Valley Funeral Home, located at 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.