Gayle Bennett Aiesi

Gayle Bennett Aiesi, child of God, counselor, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died Wednesday at her home in Edisto Beach, SC, of complications from cancer. She was 73. Gayle lived for the past 26 years in Greenville, a devoted spouse to her husband, Donald Aiesi, until recently a longtime professor at Furman University. To so many beloved Furman students who traveled with them on foreign study or just came to the house for a home-cooked meal, he was always “Dr. Aiesi” (out of respect), and she was always “Gayle”. For she had a tremendous empathy for others and their lives, counseling and teaching formally and informally her entire adventurous life. Born on Jan. 27, 1947, in Columbus, GA (and forever a Georgia peach), Gayle grew up near military bases throughout the United States as her father served in the U.S. Navy. As a child, Gayle lived with her family in Norfolk, VA; Newport, RI; Bremerhaven and Karlsruhe, Germany (where her younger brother was born) and several other towns; and she graduated from high school in Macon, GA. After earning her degree from Mercer University in three years, Gayle married at 20 and became an elementary school teacher in High Springs, FL, until the first of her three sons was born a few years later. She devoted the next 20 years to raising Chris, Roger and Justin, primarily in Orange Park, FL, where she also taught Sunday School, served as a Cub Scout den mother, and fully supported all of her children’s numerous activities. During this time, Gayle also taught middle school English and earned a master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Florida. She subsequently worked with families of domestic violence as a civilian counselor at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. In 1993, Gayle married the love of her life, Don, and moved to be with him in Greenville. Gayle and Don were a matched pair, beloved mentors to many students, and she loved being a Furman professor’s wife. Together, they were often seen walking around the Furman lake together and took numerous trips to the United Kingdom (and other global destinations), often leading groups of students on foreign study. Gayle’s foremost charges were always her sons, of whom she was enormously proud. She always put family first, and traveled constantly to support her children and grandchildren, attending ball games, concerts, graduations and holiday celebrations. She took them on adventures of every kind, from London tours to whitewater rafting to turtle walks to ferris wheels, and gave much advice and encouragement to them through visits, letters, phone calls and texts. She loved well and was greatly loved. Gayle, in her last days, frequently said, “all my hope is in Jesus, in life and in death, now and forevermore.” She had walked with Christ all of her life and walks with him still. Her favorite verse was 1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." Gayle is survived by her husband, Don; her brother Dr. Tom Bennett and his wife, Cathy; her son Chris Ferrell and daughter-in-law Molly Boyd, and her grandchildren Jackson, Patrick and Walden; her son Roger and daughter-in-law Caroline Ferrell, and her grandchildren Bennett, Emmie, Isaiah, and Sam, and his wife, Julie; her son Justin and daughter-in-law Jessica, and her grandchildren Isabel and Jonah; her stepdaughter Maria Pokluda and her husband, Brian, and her grandchildren Ashby, Reese, Wes and Dalton; and her stepson Paul and his wife, Lisa, and her grandchildren Mary, Nick and Maggie. Due to the current situation with coronavirus, the funeral will be a small graveside service with family. Later there will be a celebration of life for all of her friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge in Charleston, SC.

Gayle Bennett Aiesi

January 27, 1947 - May 6, 2020