World War II Draft Registration
Serial # 1425     Order Number 4041
Address: 1509 Providence St., Houston, Harris, Texas
Telephone: B-30830
Age: 23 years     Born Edna, Texas, U. S. A.     December 23, 1916
Name of person who will always know your address: Mr. L. M. Gayle, Father, same address
Employer's Name: Wichita Falls Steamship Co., Houston, Harris County, Texas
Physical description: White: height 5' 7 1/2", Weight: 150, Brown eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion
 

Photo courtesy of Arthur E. Mohr

SS Esso Williamsburg
 

Photo courtesy of Arthur E. Mohr
 

Cards are out announcing the approaching marriage of Miss Esther Jackson to Mr. Lea Maxwell Gayle, to occur at the home of the bride in this city on Thursday, April 8th at high noon.

The Mexia Weekly Herald, Mexia, Limestone County, Texas, Thursday, April 1, 1915

An April Shower

A miscellaneous shower was given Saturday afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 by Mrs. Cox Brodnax, who charmingly entertained quite a number of the young friends and classmates of Miss Esther Jackson, who is to be married Thursday, April 8th to Mr. Lea Maxwell Gayle of Edna.

The party was composed of about 50 maidens, still in their "teens" and their youth and beauty enhanced by the charm of the fresh color scheme of green and white, mingled with soft candle light with which the home was decorated, lent a picture of beauty which delighted the eye.

As each guest entered she wrote an original good wish to the bride-to-be in a lovely hand-painted wish book, daintily decorated in baskets overflowing with forget me nots.

Later, after all had arrived a tray was passed containing cards face downward, which was said to have the picture of the future husband of every girl present. As each girl curiously chose her card, behold, an actual photograph of a man! Some handsome, some homely, some young, some old--but nevertheless a man for every maid. This feature at once threw the party into much mirth and laughter. "Every lassie has a laddie." They were then told to write a rhyme about their allotted mate. Many and ludicrous were the impromptu rhymes which showed quite a lot of poetic talent among the youthful party. After long hesitation the prize was awarded Miss Rosa Brodnax for the best and most amusing poem. Others especially good were those of Misses Lillian Ross, Mary Beth Alderman, Cogdell Suttle and Eva McElroy of Coolidge. The prize was a beautiful hat pin which was gracefully presented to the prospective bride by the recipient.

Then followed a Floral Wedding contest in which Miss Ida Nussbaum received the prize of a hand-painted pin tray for her speedy aptness in the first correctly finished paper. Everything good falls to the bride, it seems, for this prize also was sweetly given to her by Miss Nussbaum.

While the bride-to-be concealed her eyes Mrs. Hal Jackson strew a mystic winding path of violets and green leaves, about the home, in and out each room, in dark corners, behind furniture, in what seemed inaccessible places and the guest of honor was told to follow this path to the end and there a wonderful prize awaited her. Under difficulties and obstructions she slowly pushed her way to the destination and there hidden from sight indeed, a huge basket overflowing with gifts of perfect beauty and exquisiteness, remembrances of her guests and friends. Her happiness and affection of these was shown in the radiant glow of her youthful face as with grateful words to each guest she admired her beautiful gifts.

The following verses, with a clever pun on the sir name of the prospective groom, followed by a toast to the bride and groom elect were given by Misses Estin Pitts and Hattie Ruth Eubank of Edna.

Miss Pitts recites:
"Look! fair maids a 'Gayle" is pursuing
Our dearest chum, on fleetest wing,
List! he is speaking! Ah! he is wooing
See! she's accepting a wedding ring!"

Miss Eubank recites:
"A weather prophetess am I,
Therefore let not this "Gayle" cause alarm,
For I foresee in yonder sky
Brightness and Peace and Calm."

Then in unison they toast:
"Here's health, wealth, and happiness to the bride and groom."

With reluctance the party disbanded as the shades of night were drawing nigh, each with happiest wishes to the little bride elect and words of sincere appreciation to the hostess for a lovely afternoon.

The Mexia Weekly Herald, Mexia, Limestone County, Texas, Thursday, April 8, 1915

A Pretty Home Wedding

A specially pretty and artistic home wedding, was that of last Thursday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Jackson when their daughter, Esther, was given in marriage to Mr. Lea Maxwell Gayle.

The rose hues tints of the sun rays, shining through rifts in the April skies, seemed to linger, adding their brightness to the marriage scene. The preparations for this important event, being realized, evidenced much thought and attention, being fully justified by the results in the appropriateness of environment.

A towering pyramid, fashioned of potted plants with glistening green foliage, formed a background for the bridal picture. Roses in profusion were tastefully arranged to harmonize with the decorative scheme employed throughout the reception suite. Orange blossoms, plucked from the flowering grove of the groom, in South Texas, with their waxy white petals, their delicious fragrance, were employed in the floral embellishment for the nuptial scene.

Promptly at twelve PM, heralding the bridal march, Miss Martha Corley sweetly sang the beautiful selection of Burleigh's "O Perfect Love." The last lingering notes blending into the soft strains of Mendelssohn's wedding march, filled the rooms with melody.

Miss Mary Corley gracefully presided at the piano, and throughout the solemn service, the minor strains of Lange's "Flower Song" blended with the solemn vows.

The bride entered with her sister, Miss Lucile Jackson. They were awaited at the floral pyramid by the groom, with his best man, Mr. Will Richmond, (of Dallas) where the Rev. Frank E. Singleton, of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, comented the sacred marriage bonds, which the "dark Angel" alone can divide, or sever.

The bridal gown was a beautiful tailored creation of pastel green cloth, with hat, and accessories to blend. The maid of honor, was also gowned in tailored array wearing a suit of putty color cloth, with hat and gloves of same shade. They both carried an arm bouquet of carnations, and plumosa fern.

The wedding gifts were shown in other apartments reserved for them, and were numerous, costly, and elegant. Giving expression to the good wishes, and esteem of numerous relatives, and friends.

The bride when ascending the stairs, threw her bouquet into the midst of the laughing group below, it was caught by Mr. Will Richmond who generously divided the pretty blossoms, together with the charm which accompanied them, wishing that all might be pierced with "Cupid's arrow" before the closing of the current year.

Mr. and Mrs. Gayle left on the south bound train for a few days sojourn at Galveston, before proceeding to their future home in Edna, Texas. They were escorted to the train by the bridal party, and a large number of relatives and friends. Amid a shower of rice, and loving good wishes, they departed on the first stage of their journey through life.

Mrs. W. B. Jackson was assisted by her house party, of which the following ladies formed the personnel: Mrs. G. L. Gayle (Edna), Misses Hattie Ruth Eubank (Edna), Eva McElroy (Colidge), Mary and Martha Corley, Mesdames R. B Jackson, N. P. Houx, Cox Brodnax, H. D. Jackson, and Ben Jackson.

The Mexia Weekly Herald, Mexia, Limestone County, Texas, Thursday, April 15, 1915
 

Fannie Esther Jackson Gayle Robinson
December 30, 1898 - November 2, 1977 San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas

Mrs. Esther Jackson Robinson, 79, 108 Little John road, passed away Wednesday. She had been a resident of El Paso for 53 years and was a member of the Episcopal church. Survived by son, John J. Robinson Jr., Durango, Colo.; brothers, Dr. H. D. Jackson, San Angelo, Texas; Everett G. Jackson, San Diego, Calif.; sisters, Mrs. Lucille Esmound, San Antonio, Texas; Mrs. Roselle Merwin, Dallas, Texas; 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday, Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Downtown Chapel, Rev. Harold W. Edmondson officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery (Alameda). Pallbearers: Hart Ponder, Roy Hertzler, Norman Pittenger, Leon Moore, Henry Osthues, Bruce Bixler. Arrangements by Kasler-Maxon & Futrell Downtown Chapel. 201 E Yandell  532-3431

El Paso Times, El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, Friday, November 4, 1977

Married John J. Robinson
 

Lea M. Gayle

Edna--Funeral services for Lea Maxwell Gayle, 79-year-old native of Edna who died in Houston Sunday, will be held Tuesday at 3 p. m. at First Methodist Church with the Revs. J. W. Griffin and I. E. Walker officiating.

Burial under direction of Jackson County Funeral Service will be in Edna Cemetery with Dr. George S. Gayle, Milam T. Simons, Milam G. Simons, Archie Gayle, Allison Gayle and Wallace Lea Farquhar as pallbearers.

Mr. Gayle was born in Edna Jan. 7, 1888, but had resided for the past 45 years in Houston where he owned Gayle's Auto Parts.

Survivors include a brother, George S. Gayle of Houston; a sister, Mrs. L. White of Edna; and 13 nieces and nephews.

Victoria Advocate, March 14, 1967            Marker photo courtesy of Find A Grave Volunteer James #47607551