Marie Gaylor Killingsworth

Marie Gaylor Killingsworth passed from this earthly life on October 26, 2025. She was born Evelyn Marie Reagan July 7, 1924, in Hale Center, Texas, to George and Alice Reagan. She fondly recalled her childhood and teenage years growing up on a West Texas farm with her large family, livestock, horses, and orchard--all throughout the Depression, Dust Bowl, and World War II.

Upon graduation from High School in Abernathy, Texas she studied at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas where she met and married Joseph Fielding Gaylor Jr. August 25,1946.

They raised five children together. From the time her first child was born, Marie dedicated herself to her children and family. Her role model was Old Testament Ruth, “The Worthy Woman”, the protagonist in the Book of Ruth. She strived to be a Godly woman in all she did and all she taught her children-- and those she guided later in life in those same beliefs.

Marie was a lifelong Member of The Church of Christ. She joined Central Church of Christ in April 1973. She continued her worship there via streaming up until her passing. Her children joined her in many of those services and were inspired when she joined in song. Her constant mantra as she approached the age one hundred and one years old was, “All is well.”

She taught special education students and worked with their families during her time with Amarillo Independent School District at Paramount Elementary, and Ridgecrest Elementary.

Marie was preceded in death by parents George and Alice Reagan; her husband Joseph Fielding Gaylor Jr.; daughter Lynette Gaylor Turner; son Joseph Fielding Gaylor III; brothers George, John, Ralph, and Glen Reagan; sisters Adeline Turner and Betty Riley; and Woodrow Killingsworth whom she married later in life.

She is survived by her children Robert Reagan Gaylor, Michael Gaylor, Richard Estrada, Celeste Saadeh, and husband Constantine Saadeh; grandchildren Patrick Gaylor and wife Allison, Misti Cooney and husband Paul, Charles Saadeh and wife Brooke, McKenzie Roberts and husband Ben, Connie Gaylor, Daughter in law Kathy Gaylor, Daughter in law Karen Ramsey and husband John. She was also blessed with her Great Grandchildren Isla, Emil, and Mabel Gaylor; Paul Cooney Jr., Noah Cooney, Conner Cooney; Lina Saadeh, Yara Saadeh; Fielding and Lane Roberts. She loved her nieces and nephews so very much as well and her dear friends Elizabeth Guevara and Areli Arellano.

Marie also gently nurtured many pets throughout her years as she taught her family to do the same. Marie lived a kind, hardworking, generous, and faithful life. She encouraged all she knew to do the same.

There will be a memorial service in the chapel at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors 2800, Paramount Blvd., Amarillo, Texas. Memorial service is Thursday, November 6 at 2:00 p.m. with a catered reception from 3:00 until 5:00. Interment will be private.

Should you wish to make a tribute to Marie, she supported Turn Center of Amarillo: https://www.turncenter.org/donate, 1250 Wallace Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106, and Gracie’s Project: https://www.graciesproject.com/donate, PO Box 2512 Amarillo, TX 79105.