Elizabeth Gayle Ross Pirtle
Elizabeth Gayle Ross Pirtle, 88, of Suwanee, GA, died on January 4, 2026.
She was born in 1937 in a farmhouse in Big Rock, TN, to Gilbert and Hazel Bibb Ross. The family moved to Paris, TN, in 1946 where “Betty Gayle” and her sister Diane attended Grove High School (class of 1955) and the First Baptist Church. She graduated from Memphis State University and taught band before marrying James Riley Pirtle in 1962. She later returned to teaching in the Craigmont schools and retired from Colonial Middle school. Gayle taught Sunday school at Bellevue Baptist Church and was a longtime member of the choir. For many years the summer highlight for Mimi and Grandpa was hosting “Camp Mimi” for the grandchildren.
Gayle was preceded in death by her parents and sister Linda Diane Whipple (Dan); “brothers” (cousins) Vinson Cobb (and wife, Anita) and Bill Cobb; and many dear friends including Juanita Dormer and Carolyn Marshall.
She is survived by her husband Jim; son John Ross Pirtle (Erica); daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Pirtle Hathorn (Brad); grandchildren and great grandchildren: Nicholas Ross Pirtle (wife Vashti, daughter Luxen Wren), Philip Ross Hathorn (wife Kelsey), Margaret Paige Pirtle Vaughn (husband Cody, son Jackson Grey, daughters Ella Joy and Marsali Belle), John Charles Hathorn, Hannah Elizabeth Hathorn, Meredith Grace Pirtle Rivers (husband Ethan, sons Temple Amos and Salem Earnest).
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, from noon to 1:00 at George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home (2812 N Highland Ave, Jackson, TN 38305), followed by a 1:30 service at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery (693 Wildersville Rd, Parkers Crossroads, TN 38388).
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Whispering Hope (supportwhisperinghope.org).
