Judith Gayle Cates Nelson, born March 28, 1945, to Pauline and Calvin Cates in Little Rock, died on July 28, 2024, in Benton.

She was a Christian, an artist, a lifelong learner and educator, and an animal lover who found a passion for dairy goats later in life which expanded into a business, a community and a life purpose.

She attended school in Little Rock and graduated from Hall High School, class of 1963. She graduated from Arkansas State University and went on to work as a lab tech for the State of Arkansas and as a teacher over many years at McClellan High School, St. Theresa's Catholic School and Bryant Junior High School. She was also an Avon lady and a Navy wife at different points in her life.

Gayle married Doug Nelson on Sept. 16, 1967. She made a wonderful home for their family, which included daughter Karen and son Joe. Cats and dogs were always in the mix and a little dirt never hurt anyone.

She always put a square meal on the table and introduced the family to "fake lobster," steamed artichokes and goat hamburger helper.

Gayle and Doug enjoyed a number of interests and projects together, including going to garage sales and designing and executing a custom timber frame house addition, and they were a legendary presence as founding members of the British Motoring Club of Arkansas. She and Doug spent many enjoyable evenings with good friends at the Lake Corvallis Yacht Club in Maumelle.

Gayle and Doug and the kids lived in Tennessee, California and Arkansas, settling for good on Anarky's Acres where she bought two goats to help clear the brush. That's how it started.

She opened up Redbud Goat Dairy for business and over the years she raised, bred, milked, doctored, birthed and wrangled an untold number of goats, and she also found time to judge 4-H goats at local county and state fairs.

Gayle's goat-related activities also included numerous roles within the American Goat Society leadership over many years, and she shared her wisdom and experience with the local goat community and beyond, excelling in particular at mentoring new goat owners.

Her favorite doe was a Nubian named Sarah, and her heart and milking hands were eventually won over by Nigerian dwarf goats. She had as many as 16 goats at a time, with some help from friends and family, but mostly on her own.

Gayle was a loving and present mom and an equally loving and doting grandmother. She was beloved GG/Grandma Nelson to Matt, Sidney, Lauren and Landon.

Beyond family, she mothered and shepherded more people than we'll ever know - goat friends, students, anyone who could use a guiding word, a hug, an extra gift bag from the dollar store or something out of her candy drawer stash (usually chocolate but sometimes fruit slices).

She loved jewelry, sushi, reading, Law & Order and other legal dramas, the white sand beaches on the Gulf Coast, and just being at home "on the hill." She attended church throughout her life, most recently at Zion Lutheran Church of Avilla.

Gayle is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Survivors are daughter, Karen Erickson (Kirk) of Scottsdale, AZ; son, Dr. Joseph Nelson (Shannon) of Benton; grandchildren, Matt Erickson of Scottsdale, AZ, Sidney Erickson of Chandler, AZ, Lauren Nelson of N. Little Rock and Landon Nelson of Bryant; brother, Gary Cates of N. Little Rock; sister-in-law, Rebecca Nelson of Little Rock; nieces, Tina Johnson (Bobby) of Mayflower, Cynthia Fehrenbach (Dennis) of Little Rock, Rachel Nelson of Little Rock, and Angela Cates (Dana) of McMinnville, TN, and their families; and her wide circle of dear friends.

Gayle endured COPD, lung cancer, chemo and other trials, and she was "the favorite" at the Pleasant Hill Senior Care Home in Benton and at her various doctor offices, rehabs and medical facilities. Her family wishes to thank every doctor, nurse, CNA, tech, aide, driver, therapist, dietician, cleaning staff, chaplain and volunteer we encountered who gave her the utmost in love and care. We share your sadness in her passing.

In her memory, Gayle would want you to support your favorite pet charity and make sure you eat something green.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, at 10 A.M.  at   Zion Lutheran Church of Avilla, located at 300 Avilla East, Alexander, Arkansas 72002.