March 13, 1948 - May 20, 2023

Gayla Rudolph-Emerson, a distinguished teacher of 40+ years, devoted mother, savvy business owner, good friend to all who met her, and life-long resident of Downey, Ca. passed away un-expectantly on May 20th, 2023 at the age of 75.

Gayla is survived by her two daughters, Aime Wolf and Markie Connella. She has three grand children, Mckenzie Tardibuono, Logan Wolf, and Briyen Wolf. She boasted two Great-grand children, Dash Tardibuono and Willow Wolf. She is pre-deceased by her sisters Cheryl Marrs and Debbie Russell; Parents Donald and Jan Russell, and son Brain Russell Wolf.

Gayla was born on March 13th, 1948 to Jan and Don Russell. She went to Warren high school and was a talented cheerleader. She graduated from Long Beach State University in 1971, Magna Cum Lade with a Bachelors degree in Education. Her life’s path and passion was to be a teacher and influence the leaders of the future. She began her career in the LA unified school district working in Watts, and after a short 5 years, she had an opportunity to work for the private school sector and started her career at St. Marks Episcopal Church and school. Her devotion to the Episcopal church kept her teaching at St marks for several years, but her need to teach on a larger level and touch more children outgrew her career at St. Mark’s. She moved into the Downey unified school district in early 1990’s, and began her life long career as a science teacher at Sussman Middle school. She touched the lives of thousands of kids in her time at Sussman, as a science teacher. She was honored with teacher of the year, she was elected as the only participant out of 100’s of other California teachers to attend space camp, and she received dozens of other wards while working at Sussman.

Above all, Gayla enjoyed being a mother. Her three children is all she ever talked about. Her subsequent grandchildren and great-grand children sweetened her life, all the more. In her youth she enjoyed activities like skiing, water skiing, and camping. In her golden years she enjoyed traveling with her friends and daughters, playing cards like hand and foot, playing with her grand daughter Briyen (AKA Coco), and helping her family out with the family business and her daughter, Markie’s, business. Gayla will be deeply missed by friends and family, but especially by her daughters. Our only solace is that she is with her son, Brian, once again, in heaven.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Reverend Ginna Benson will officiate, and a celebration of life will follow in the attached hall. If you knew Gayla and would like to offer condolences, flowers or grieve in company, please join us at 10354 Downey Ave, Ca. 90241on June 24th 2023, at 11AM to honor this incredible life.