Mrs. Gayle Marie McTurnan Conatser, 66, of St. Pauls, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2026, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

Born on May 29, 1959, in Wayne County, Michigan, Gayle was the daughter of the late Bruce Harlan McTurnan and Margaret Ann “Peggy” Carney McTurnan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Daniel McTurnan (Maria) and Nelson McTurnan (Judy); niece, Holly Kukler; and brother-in-law, Bob Leiser.

Gayle dedicated all of her professional life to bookkeeping and accounting, faithfully serving multiple accounting firms throughout her career. She spent more than 25 years working at Jack A. Watson, CPA, in Fayetteville, and later with Florence Black & Associates.

A devoted Christian woman, Gayle dearly loved her church family at Tolarsville Baptist Church, where she faithfully served for many years in various ministries, she especially enjoyed Tuesday morning bible study. She was known as a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend whose kind spirit touched many lives. In her later years, she found joy in diamond art projects with her daughter Sierra, sister Toni, aunt and uncle Jim and Maureen Carney. Gayle had a love for reading and enjoyed watching romance movies.

She is survived by her loving husband of almost 38 years, David Alan Conatser of the home; her son, Joshua Conatser; her daughter, Sierra Jernigan and husband Neil; her sister, Toni Lynn Leiser; her brother, Clifford McTurnan; brother-in-law, Donnie Conatser, Sr.; along with nieces and nephews, Donnie Conatser Jr. (Lauren), Jessi Fernandez (Christopher), Matthew Topolewski (Jessica), Gary Topolewski (Chelsea), Nicole Shanburn (Alexander), Keith Cardinal (Megan), Jacob McTurnan (Katherine) and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews whom she loved dearly. Family was always important to Gayle, but she had a running joke that her son in law Neil was her favorite because he didn’t give her any trouble.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Tolarsville Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Jeff Broadwell and Rev. William Gentry. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends during a visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026 at McNeill Legacy Funeral Home.

Gayle’s favorite Bible verse was Matthew 6:33 (KJV):  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”