Gayle Rae Carpenter-Jay

With deep sorrow we announce the passing of Gayle Rae Carpenter-Jay, on March 7th, 2026, at the age of 83. Gayle was a kind, caring and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who will be deeply missed.

Gayle was born to the late Ray and Beaulah Johnson on May 10th, 1942. Gayle was raised in Wishkah, WA where she attended and graduated from Wishkah Valley Highschool. Gayle married Claude Carpenter in the early 1960’s and had two children together. In the early 1980s Gayle married Gordon Jay. They spent many years together before his passing.

Gayle and Gordon were dedicated members of the Eagles Club. Gayle was a member of the Eagles Club for 63 years, where she was a four-time Elma Eagles Auxiliary President. From 1994-1995, Gayle was the Washington State Eagles Auxiliary President. The following years (1996-1997), Gayle was the Grand Auxiliary Outside Guard. Gayle was then the Pacific Northwest Regional President in 1998-1999. She was inducted into both the Washington State Auxiliary Hall of Fame in 2006 and the Elma Eagles Hall of Fame in 2007.

Gayle spent 34 years serving her community as an Aberdeen School District and Grays Harbor Transit bus driver.

Gayle Rae Carpenter-Jay is preceded in death by her parents; spouses: Claude Carpenter and Gordon Jay, and daughter, Djuna Marie Carpenter. Gayle is survived by her son, Jon Carpenter; brother, Dani Jones, and granddaughters Rebekah and Taylor Carpenter.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Elma Eagles Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elma Eagles Club. Please take a moment to share your memories or notes of condolence for the family www.fernhillfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.