GAYLA JOYNER

Luray, TN: Mary Gayla Dix Joyner, age 59, passed away at her home on February 6, 2026.

She was born in Corinth, MS on January 7, 1967, to Gilbert Earl Dix, Sr. and the late Bonnie Ruth Rickman Dix. She was raised in Kossuth, MS and graduated from Adamsville High School in 1985.

Gayla worked at Garan in Adamsville with her mother, Bonnie.

She became a mom and that was her life, and she would not have traded that for the world.

When Gayla was young, she learned how to preserve food and garden. She was the type of person to step in and take care of not only her siblings but anyone in need.

She worked at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in medical records for 22 years.

She enjoyed volunteering for the American Heart Association and walking in the Heart Walk with her daughter, Gayla.

Gayla was proud of going on mission trips to Mexico to help spread the word of God.

She enjoyed camping, going to the beach and riding motorcycles in her younger years.

In the end, her joy was spending time with her children and her grandchildren.

Gayla was loved dearly and will be missed by so many.

She is survived by her father, Gilbert Earl Dix, Sr.; son, Terry Scott Pickett (Crystal) of Beech Bluff; daughter, Gayla “Gerdy” Woods (John) of Troy, TN; a brother, Gilbert Earl Dix, Jr. and a sister, Bonnie Jean McKee; as well as four grandchildren, Emma and Gunner Griffin and Adylynn and Clara Woods; and a life time friend, William “Billy” Pickett.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Ruth Dix and a son, Dennis Steven Pickett.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday February 12, 2026, at Shackelford Funeral Directors – Crook Avenue Chapel with Dr. James Huggins officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetlips Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Thursday at Crook Avenue from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM service time.

Shackelford Funeral Directors