Gayle Avant

Maggie Valley, Linda Gayle Avant, 74, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at her residence in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

A native of Walterboro, South Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Floyd and Eleanor Matthews Avant.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Matt Matthews and sister, Sandra Avant.  Gayle had a love of vibrant colors.  This love of colors led to the opening of Bright Ideas located in Maggie Valley.  Gayle, along with her husband Marvin, opened a shop that created one of a kind lamps, shades and chandeliers.  Gayle was always creating things.  In her younger years, she made ceramic dolls and even helped to build a small one- bedroom cabin behind her home in Maggie Valley.

Gayle is survived by her husband of 18 years, Marvin McDaniel, of Maggie Valley; one daughter, Beth Martin, of Jefferson City, Tennessee; a stepdaughter, Hope Ruggiero, of Gastonia; a stepson, Chris McDaniel (Tammie), of Tennessee; four grandchildren, Shayna McKnight, Maggie Rodriguez, Austin Burchfield and Jenica Sherman; and five great-grandchildren, Ryan and Chance Waters, KK Wilson, Eli Rodriguez, and Carolina McKnight.  Gayle also leaves behind her two beloved Yorkies, Korkey and Kloie.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

The care of Mrs. Avant has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.