[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING GAYLE OWEN AVERYT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, South Carolina is 
recognizing the extraordinary achievements of Gayle Averyt, who is a 
Southern Gentleman who has been a top business and political leader. My 
personal appreciation is for his courage as one of the state's earliest 
Republicans, building the modern Party from non-existence to now super 
majorities with all statewide elected officials Republicans.


                      Dunbar Funeral Home Obituary

       Gayle Owen Averyt of Columbia, South Carolina, was born on 
     October 13, 1933, in Montgomery, Alabama, and he died 
     peacefully at his home in Columbia, South Carolina on May 13, 
     2024. He was the second of three children of Edwin Franklin 
     and Asenath Murfee Averyt. Gayle's family moved into their 
     first home in Columbia when he was five weeks old.
       Gayle graduated from Dreher High School in 1951. He went on 
     to graduate Cum Laude from Davidson College in 1955 and was 
     inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He then earned an 
     MBA from Harvard Business School in 1958.
       Gayle's father, Edwin, co-founded Colonial Life & Accident 
     Insurance Company in 1937. Gayle joined Colonial Life after 
     Harvard, moving through the management ranks. In 1970, he 
     became the Chairman of the Board and CEO after his father 
     retired. He held those positions until 1993 when Colonial 
     Life merged with UNUM Corporation. Gayle became Chairman 
     Emeritus of Colonial Life and served on UNUM's board from 
     1993 until 1999.
       Gayle and his wife of 61 years, Margaret ``Peg'' Finlay met 
     on a blind date. This was their first time meeting despite 
     both growing up in Columbia. Safe to say their date was a 
     success and they were married on June 15, 1963, at Kanuga 
     Episcopal Conference Center in Hendersonville, North 
     Carolina.
       Gayle was generous with his time, talents and resources. 
     Being of service gave him priceless memories and enhanced his 
     worldview and purpose. He was on many boards and committees, 
     including the Central Carolina Community Foundation, the 
     South Carolina State Fair Association, the South Carolina 
     Orchestra Association, the South Carolina Ports Authority and 
     the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties. He 
     was an active member of Trinity Cathedral and served on the 
     Finance Committee and in various other capacities. As a board 
     member, he spent countless hours helping Heathwood Hall 
     Episcopal School and Kanuga Conference Center, two places 
     that were very special to him. Even after he retired, Gayle 
     remained involved in numerous business, civic, political, 
     educational and cultural organizations.
       Some of the awards Gayle received were the Distinguished 
     Alumni Award from Davidson College, Humanitarian of the Year 
     from The United Way of the Midlands, Business Man of the Year 
     from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Doctor 
     of Public Service from the University of South Carolina, and 
     the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Carroll Campbell. He 
     was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame by 
     Junior Achievement.
       Gayle led with humility and in the spirit of collaboration. 
     He was quick to acknowledge that he would not have achieved 
     his accomplishments without the support of Peg, his 
     administrative assistants, the many people who were serving 
     alongside him, and his colleagues and employees at Colonial 
     Life. He said that Colonial Life gave more to him than he 
     ever gave to the company.
       Gayle exercised regularly and was a forerunner in promoting 
     healthy living. He established a wellness center at Colonial 
     Life in the 1980s, offering exercise classes in which he 
     often participated. He and Peg played mixed doubles in tennis 
     and began jogging in the 1970s when it was a new fad. He took 
     up golf in high school and shot a hole in one when he was 83. 
     Gayle loved to dance at any occasion where music was playing. 
     He hung upside down in gravity boots and practiced yoga. He 
     was interviewed in an article about longevity in Smart Money 
     magazine, accompanied by a photo of him standing on his head.
       Gayle was a kind and caring husband, father and 
     grandfather. He will be remembered for his integrity, 
     compassionate heart and the many contributions he made 
     towards helping others.
       Gayle is survived by his wife, Margaret Finlay Averyt; his 
     daughters, Caroline Averyt Lord and Margaret McQueen Averyt; 
     his sisters, Ella Averyt DuBose and Dorothy Averyt Poston; 
     his grandchildren, William Leighton Lord IV, Owen Elliott 
     Lord and Isabelle Finlay Lord; and his six nephews and 
     nieces. He was predeceased by his parents and his youngest 
     daughter, Elinor Finlay Averyt. A nephew is State 
     Representative Kirkman Finlay.
       The memorial service for Gayle will be held on May 23, 2024 
     at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter 
     Street, Columbia, SC 29201. A reception will follow the 
     service in Satterlee Hall. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street 
     Chapel, is assisting the family.
       In lieu of flowers, you may consider making a donation to 
     Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (www.trinitysc.org), Kanuga 
     Conference Center (www.kanuga.org), or the charity of your 
     choice.
       Memories of Gayle may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

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