CHERRYVALE — Sharon Gayle Souter, 69, of Cherryvale passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a years-long battle with heart and health issues.
Gayle was born in Bryan, Texas, but spent some of her formative years in Okinawa, Japan, on a military base. She later moved to Parsons, attending Labette County High School in Altamont. She received a degree in nursing from Labette Community College in Parsons. She began her nursing career at the Katy Hospital in Parsons and through the years worked for several local hospitals, then served as a traveling nurse in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico during most of the late 1980s and the 1990s. She was a devoted nurse for nearly 30 years and was known for her expertise, work ethic and fierce desire to do the job right.
She loved to cook, read books and watch re-runs of old westerns. She attended Christ’s Church of Labette County in Altamont and especially enjoyed the worship band, coffee and donuts.
Those close to Gayle knew she was a big personality in a small package. She had an impact on each patient she cared for while being a nurse, and whether in work or life, she made sure that you knew where she stood on her opinions. Having a rocky start early in life, she was courageous and a ball of fire who showed us what can be accomplished with determination and persistence. She sought happiness throughout her life, and for her circumstances, lived her life to the fullest despite many challenges. Her greatest joys were the love of her sons and grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Dustin Wiley and Darren Wiley of Labette County; daughters-in-law, Becky Wiley and Hilary Wiley; grandchildren, Noah, Lily, Zoe, Hannah and Isaiah Wiley; her two sisters, Mary Lynn (Souter) Wilmoth of Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Janet (Souter) Carden of Josephine, Texas; and multiple nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Souter; her mother, Willie Mae (Vykukal) Souter; and her three brothers, Steve Souter, Keith Souter and Russell Souter.
A celebration of life will be from noon to 3 p.m. on April 26 at Christ’s Church of Labette County, 1019 E. Fourth St., Altamont. Friends and family are invited to attend.
