Frances Gamby

Frances Gamby was born June 8, 1917 to the late Ethel Grandison and Arthur Johnson in Maysville, Kentucky. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age. She is currently absent from her body and present with the Lord as well as her husband of 59 years, 10 months and 26 days. Frances loved school and received various awards and certificates. Her most cherished item is a silver spoon she received from one of her elementary teachers. She graduated from Fee High school in Maysville where she and her basketball team won the state championship for the Kentucky Negro Women’s Basketball Division. Frances joined the women’s league so she could keep her eye on “Woody” her future husband. After graduating from high school Frances moved to Detroit, Michigan where she was an insurance agent. Having heard that “Woody had been drafted, Frances returned to Maysville to marry “Woody”, Albert Wood Gamby, on January 21, 1942. To this union 6 children were born. Following Albert’s discharge from the army, they settled in Toledo, Ohio and “Mama” as she was called by her children, became a domestic engineer (“housewife”). She has said to some, “I tried working outside the home, but every time I’d try I’d end up pregnant.” In 1947 Frances and Albert became members of Braden Methodist Church (“Little Braden”) under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John H. Simpson. They proudly participated in the walk with all children in tow to the current Braden where she has served as secretary of the Women’s Society of Christian Service and a Vacation Bible School teacher. She actively participated in the Women’s Society’s mock weddings as bridesmaid and even bride. She was highly respected by the congregation and is remembered as: being one with the Lord, living a Christian life, modeling what it means to be the family of God, with she and Brother Gamby being faithful givers of the tithes. Mama was very proud of her family and bragged to all about her college graduate children and grandchildren who she taught to “Fly like birds from the nest” and supported that flying with a cash parachute and cooking lessons over the phone. Other remembrances of “Mrs. Gamby”, “Grandma”, “Aunt Fun” include: She made the best apple pies and cinnamon rolls in the world; Christmas Eve baking; fried chicken real Kentucky style; always remembering family birthdays with the $5.00 inside; prettiest geraniums that seemed to bloom throughout winter – the first thing you see before you enter the house; helping keep the neighborhood safe – fearless about it; her not riding in Woody’s worn out cars; her stubborn ways because she liked being independent.” She never stopped missing her beloved husband Albert “Woody” Gamby who preceded her in death November 17, 2001. She has now rejoined him. Frances leaves a legacy of love, family and friends to cherish her memory. Her sister Mary Martha Lane of Topeka, Kansas; sister in law Lonnie Buford and brother in law Elder Wilbur (Verna) Harris both of Toledo, OH; children: Gary (Jackie) Gamby; Penny (James) Keys; Geraldine Gamby-Turner; Theresa Carson; Paul Gamby; Crystal Gamby as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be Friday 3-6 p.m. followed by wake services 6-8p.m.Dale-Riggs Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m.Braden United Methodist Church, Rev. Wynston E. Dixon officiate, interment Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial Donations can be made to the Braden United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Frances Gamby

February 23, 2007