Celia Gayle Compton was born in Bluefield, Tazewell County, Virginia on the 1st day of January 1951. She was the daughter of Victor Hugo Compton (1916-1978) and Virginia June Compton (1920-1974) of Tookland, Buchanan County, Virginia. Gayle also had two brothers, Victor Allen Compton (1948-1972) and Eugene Wallace Compton. She had one son Terry Compton presently of Marion, Virginia.

Gayle received her high school education from Grundy High School and attended some college courses. Her adult life was spent as a homemaker and mother (findagrave.com)