Gayle Guest Bigham

Gayle Guest Bigham, 74, of Cleveland, TN was united with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday August 18, 2022. She passed peacefully surrounded by much of the family who loved her dearly. Gayle was born on September 4, 1947, in Chattanooga, TN, to the late Luther Ray Guest and Estelle Lacy Guest.

Gayle graduated from Soddy-Daisy High School in 1965, where she was voted Friendliest, after only attending for her senior year. She went on to attend Austin-Peay State University where she met the love of her life, Tom Bigham. They married on December 30, 1966 and enjoyed a blessed 55 years of marriage.

Gayle’s greatest achievement was raising her two daughters and building a home of faith for her family. She was a devoted Christian, first and foremost; she faithfully taught Sunday School for over 25 years at Westwood Baptist Church and was a member of Grace Community Church. She also loved serving in the Emmaus Community and was greatly honored to lead Emmaus Women’s Walk #108 in the Fall of 2006. Her greatest passions were sharing the love of Jesus, encouraging others through cards and gifts and surprising family and friends with her special “sursis.” Her six “grands” were her pride and joy! Some of her sweetest days were spent with her family in the mountains, and her “flamingo sisters” at the beach.

Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, Luther Ray Guest and Estelle Lacy Guest and her husband, Tom Bigham.
She leaves a tremendous legacy of faith for those who survive her: daughters Aimee Efird of Columbia, SC and Marti Hall of Cleveland, TN; sons-in-law Scott Efird of Columbia, SC, and Brent Hall of Cleveland, TN; grandchildren EmmaLeigh Efird, Elizabeth Efird, Evan Efird of Columbia, SC, Raygan Hall Lockridge (Grant) of Greenville, SC, Reece Hall and Rylee Hall of Cleveland, TN; siblings Tommy Guest (Sandy) of Montgomery, AL and Gary Guest of Knoxville, TN; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends at Grace Community Church, 4745 Mouse Creek Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 on Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 2-4pm with the Celebration of Life immediately following. Services will be conducted by Rev. Scott Efird and Pastor Kevin Mendel. Burial will follow at Lee Cemetery in McDonald, TN. Donations may be given to Grace Community Church or the Cleveland Emmaus Community.