Gayla Fern Girdler Benedetti Reyer
November 8, 1944 to January 7, 2026
2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day…
At the beginning of December, over 120 people celebrated 81 years of blessings, provision, favor, and abundant life with Gayla- to include her children and their spouses: YeVonda (Dwayne), Tony (Lorie), Frankie (Missy), and Tommy, as well as her grandchildren: Austin, Korey, Brittany, Madison, Kellen, Cara Linda, Ashton, Sophia, Ty, and Guy, and her sister Glenda, and niece Judy.
Philippians 3:20-21
Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him.
For nearly 7 years, Gayla’s lowly body was encumbered with chronic lymphoma leukemia, and half of that time pulmonary fibrosis contributed to her body’s burden. On January 7, 2026, Gayla (in her transformed glorious body) accepted her citizenship in heaven and joined her husband, Tom Reyer, her parents Perk and Violet Girdler, and her other siblings.
Other than 9 years in Ohio as a young adult, and monthly trips to her Florida vacation home these past 6+ years, Gayla resided in Somerset, KY her entire life. She graduated from Somerset High School, Eastern KY University, and Union College; and she taught high school English for 20 years at Southwestern High School. The two themes of her life (according to the guest book comments and the speakers at her Celebration) are extensive travel, and even more prevalent- sharing her testimony and faith in Christ. The numbers were overwhelming of the lives that were impacted through Gayla’s relationship with God. Every person in attendance and every card/letter received spoke of Gayla’s testimony, of her Christ-like love for others and of her passion in sharing God’s word. Her family thanks everyone who attended Gayla’s celebration in December and all that spoke, or wrote, words of affirmation to Gayla. The four weeks following that out pouring of love and honor for her were days of “my cup runneth over,” as her heart was completely full.
In accordance with Gayla’s wishes, there will be no services. Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Gayla Fern Girdler Benedetti Reyer.