Joyce Gailey

ST. PETERSBURG – Joyce O’Neal Gailey, a telecommunications executive and consultant, died March 17, 2025, of a lengthy illness. The cause was cancer.

Mrs. Gailey was born Aug. 5, 1947, in Tiger, Ga. She graduated from the Georgia College at Milledgeville (now George College & State University). Over the years, she worked for Southern Bell, IBM and Intermedia Communications before launching her own business, KG Partners, Inc., from which she retired in 2023. A devoted wife, mother and friend, Mrs. Gailey was an accomplished cook, hostess and singer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” and Rose O’Neal, and a sister Sharon Rose Grant.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Philip Gailey, retired editor of editorials at the Tampa Bay Times and veteran Washington reporter for the  Washington Star and the New York Times; their son, Daniel; her sister Melba Fugitt (Fred) of Marietta, Ga; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Extended family includes Mary Wilfalk of St. Petersburg, to whom the family expresses deep gratitude and love.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SPCA of Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N, Largo, FL 33733