Lisha Gayle was killed in her home in St Louis, MO, on Tuesday,, Aug. 11, 1998. She was born Feb 6, 1956, in Rockford, the daughter of G.W. "Wally" and Veronica "Bunkie"(Bunk) Gayle. She was married on Sept 21, 1979, to Dr Daniel Picus, who heads the intervention radiology dept. at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. Lisha and Dan first met at Bloom Elementary School and started dating in high school. She graduated from Guilford High in 1974 and spoke at the commencement ceremonies. Her various activities created many enduring friendships which she dearly maintained. Lisha graduated from the University of Illinois School of Journalism and was an intern at Illinois State Journal newspaper in Springfield, IL After graduating, she became a reporter for the Hammond Times in IN. She and Daniel moved to the St Louis area and she became a reporter for the St Louis Post-Dispatch. Lisha also was an active mentor and tutor for disadvantaged children in the St Louis area. She enjoyed history and genealogy with writing that include a history of her extended family and the neighborhood where she grew up. She delighted in the company of nieces and nephews from both sides of her family and cherished her family and friends. Lisha is survived by husband, Daniel of St Louis; parents, G.W. Gayle and Veronica B Gayle of Rockford; seven brothers and sisters, William (Pam) of Huntington Beach, CA, Sanford of Raleigh, NC, Andrew of Rockford, Sydney Beth (Keith) Schuler of Lamont, Samuel and Emily bother of Rockford and Christopher (Michelle) of Salt Lake City.