Franklin – Russell Sage Gayle, Jr., 87, passed away March 31, 2018 at the Salem Veterans Medical Center. Mr. Gayle was a longtime resident of Franklin and was a son of the late Russell Sage Gayle, Sr. and Lena Moore Gayle. He was also predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Story Gayle and three sisters, Dorothy "Dot" McDonald, Mildred Whitfield and Catherine "Bookey" Lanier.

Mr. Gayle was a US Marine Corp Veteran serving in the Korean War, a member of High Street United Methodist Church and was a retired State Farm Insursance Agent of 40 years. He was a member of the Franklin Masonic Lodge #151 A.F. & A.M., past Commander of American Legion Post #73 and was a Shriner, member of the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club.

Left to cherish his memory is a daughter Robin Gayle Rudd, two sons, Michael Craig "Mike" Gayle and Troy Marshall Gayle (Krissi), five grandchildren, Kristin Rudd, Jordan, Peyton and Avery Gayle and Russ Gayle and one great grandchild Jayden Chatman.

A graveside service with Military and Masonic Rites will be held at 3 PM Tuesday April 3, 2018 in Poplar Spring Cemetery with Rev. Nathan Decker officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Legion Post #73, P.O. Box 873, Franklin, VA 23851. www.wrightfuneralhome.org