Roll Call Tribute

Norma Gayle Schmidt 

February 1936 - December 2025 

Norma Gayle Jackman Schmidt (February 1936 - December 2025) was born to Allen and Josephine (Jo) Jackman in Altus, Oklahoma. She was joined shortly after by her brother Allen. The foundation of faith they provided for both children was vital to Gayle through all the changes and challenges life offered over her almost 90 years.

It would be easy to describe Gayle's life as if writing a resume, with all the degrees earned and titles held in the proper order. But a person's life is much more richly and accurately described by the way they moved through the world.

Gayle and her husband, Henry Mack, welcomed their four children in Oklahoma (Andy), Arkansas (Laura), and Texas (Amy and Pat). After his death (2003), she moved to Florida and ultimately to Petersburg, Virginia (2022). Depending on where and when you encountered Gayle, you may have met a student, professor, nurse, sport/music/theater mom, volunteer, Disciples of Christ or Presbyterian elder, or an incredibly busy retiree.

All along the way, she was a fierce advocate for her students, friends, and children - including those who claimed her as a bonus mom or "Dr. Mom" on campus. She encouraged students both inside and outside the classroom, especially women athletes and student organizations. She even served as academic advisor for B-Battery of the Texas A&M Aggie Band. She was the kind of person who kept up with high school classmates, college roommates, graduate cohorts, and church colleagues and friends for decades. She also modeled a willingness to learn and to love the folks that others would try to teach us to exclude.

Norma Gayle was a force to be reckoned with, having learned early on that a smart, determined woman would have to fight for what she wanted. She blazed trails and proved her mettle in academia, earning her PhD and a place on faculty at Texas A&M early in that university's transition to a co-ed institution. She also made it clear as a parent what she expected, yet somehow became a pushover of a Yaya to her grandchildren.

Her surviving children will miss her: Amy Schmidt, Pat Schmidt, and Laura Viau, and her grandchildren: Maddie Jackman, Adam Thompson, Drew Schmidt, Andylyn Schmidt, and Andreas Schmidt. They are grateful for the many people from every stage of Gayle's life who bear witness to a life faithfully lived.

Gifts in her memory can be made to N. Gayle Schmidt Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarship in Health in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University, College Station.