Gayle Hand

Gayle Hand, 83, of Thomaston, Georgia, passed away on March 11, 2026. Born on May 5, 1942, in Tucson, Arizona, to Merle Edward and Gladys Marie McDonald, she lived a life centered on family, faith, and the simple joys that brought people together.

A longtime member of the Cherokee Rose quilt guild and the Church of Christ in Thomaston, Gayle found deep fulfillment in creating and in worship. She shared a devoted partnership with her husband, David Hand, whom she considered her true love and forever dancing partner.

She was preceded in death by her husband David, grandsons Kyle O’Kelley and Nicholas Morris, and her parents. Gayle is survived by her daughters Martha (John) O’Kelley of Monticello, Judith (David) King of Marietta, Gloria Morris of Panama City, Florida, and Amanda Hand of Thomaston; her son Christopher (Miranda) Hand of Hubert, North Carolina; her sister Sandee McDonald; her brother Johnny McDonald; twelve grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who will carry forward her memory.