Shirley Gamble

Shirley Graham was born on June 13, 1921 in Appleton City, Missouri, the first child of the Thomas Graham family. At age 17, she left her hometown for Kansas City, and soon after married Wilbur Odneal, also of Appleton City. A lifelong salesman by trade, Wilbur's employment took the couple at various times to live in Rolla, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky; South Florida, and then for most of their life together, back to Kansas City, Missouri in the employ of the Russell Stover's candy manufacturing firm. Without children, Shirley was employed at various times by the Ryder Trucking Company, the Sheffield Steel products manufacturing company, and later in life as an interior decorator predominately for the firm of Jenning's Interiors located in Independence and Kansas City Missouri. Shirley often became involved in various women's and civic organizations, including the Traffic Club of Kansas City Missouri, Girls Scouts, The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City, Friends of the Kansas City Zoo and various thespian organizations. Shirley and Wilbur, separated, and finally, in approximately 1979, divorced. On November 6, 1983, Shirley remarried—then to Roy S. Gamble of Independence, Missouri. They traveled extensively and entertained friends during their first year of marriage. In November of 1984, Roy suffered a debilitating stroke, which hospitalized him for several months and eventually confined him to a wheel chair. Roy Gamble died on April 21, 1989 at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. For the next eighteen years, Shirley continued with her interior decorating business and divided her time between her home in Rockport Texas, and at the family homestead in Independence at 1114 S. Noland. On October 2, 2011 at twelve noon, Shirley Gamble passed from this world to the next at her apartment in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She is survived by her stepsons, John and Jim Gamble, and their children, Evan Gamble, Page Gamble Duffy, Ashley Gamble Grandisch, James McGrady Gamble and a host of friends. Services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. Private burial will follow in Mound Grove Cemetery. Donations may be made in her name to Girls Scouts of America or to the Friends of the Kansas City Zoo. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements; Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)