Gay Lynn (Punkin) Twitty of Covington, Virginia, transitioned to her eternal home, Saturday, January 30, 2021 at her residence.

She was born February 9, 1949 to the late Joyce Muriel Mack White and David Coles in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Gay Lynn attended Watson High School and went on to graduate from Covington High School in 1967 following integration. She later attended Virginia Seminary and College (now Lynchburg College) in Lynchburg, VA.

She worked at W.T. Grant and retired from Kmart after working numerous years. She also worked for many years for the Electoral Board for the City of Covington, Virginia.

Gay Lynn joined First Baptist Church at an early age and was a member of the A.M. Mosley Choir and various other organizations. She was one of the founding members of the Concerned Christian Baptist Church where she served on the Deaconess Board, a member of the W.O. Hickman Choir, the Usher Board, and the Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Sunday School, Bible Study, and was the Youth Leader for many years, as well as one of the Third Sunday Breakfast Cooks.

She was an active member of Meals on Wheels, the Nursing Home Ministry, and Bell Ringer for the Salvation Army. She thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Senior Citizens Center.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Muriel; father, David Coles; John and Geraldine Pierce, and brother David "Colgate" Coles.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 34 years, Gary Wayne "Joe" Twitty, only daughter, Nikki Coles Jones (Oscar) of Roanoke, VA; grandsons, Zavier and Jayden Jones; sisters, Linda Venable and Gloria Pierce, both of Covington, VA; Pamela Cannon (Charlie) of Portsmouth, VA; Brenda Holloway of Covington, VA; Cassandra DeCohen of Charlotte, NC; Donna Goodson (George) of East Windsor, NJ; Aunt, Audrey (Dottie Mae) Mack of Covington, VA; nieces, Stacie Cannon, Joyletta Lemon, and LaShonda Hairston; nephews, Lewis Venable III, Darren Venable and Ryan Cannon; three sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law, numerous cousins, other relatives and friends. Extended family, Helen Harris, Kathy Harris, Laura Waddy and special friend, Mary Heighter.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. William O. Hickman III officiating. The family will receive their friends at Arritt Funeral Home from noon until service time.

Due to current COVID-19 guidelines, guests attending the service are asked to wear a mask and be mindful of social distancing.

The family asks that those wishing to make memorial contributions in Mrs. Twitty's name do so to: Concerned Christian Baptist Church, 329 E Cherry St, Covington, VA 24426.