Gale Riles-Hightower was born on May 29, 1942 to Johnny and Marie York-Riles in Huntsville, Texas.

Gale was preceded in death by her parents, son: Edward Lewis Kelly; granddaughter: Johnnie Faye Hightower; great-grandson: DaMarcus Dean; six brothers and four sisters.

Those that are left behind to cherish memories include her husband: James O. Hightower; daughters: Linda Kelly, Gale Hightower, Judy Williams and Galy Douch; nine grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins; special friends: Donna Coffin, Alice O'Bryant and Jean Straughter.