Mary Lucille ‘Mamie’ Gamby
Mary Lucille “Mamie” Gamby, 86, of Carbondale, died at 3:43 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018, at Manor Court Skilled Nursing Facility in Carbondale.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1931, the daughter of Madge Marie Resh Sheffer and Archie Ray Sheffer of Zeigler. She was the last survivor of her siblings.
She married John Frank Gamby on April 10, 1951. John and Lucille survived their son, Michael Ray Gamby, who was stillborn in 1955. He was always in her heart.
John and Lucille lived in many places before returning to Southern Illinois to be near family.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University in 1967. She was a lifelong learner who touched the lives of many families during her career as a teacher in Murphysboro. She taught at Carruthers Middle School from 1967-1987.
Lucille and John travelled extensively in the United States and across the world. She was an avid historian and spent many years working on her family genealogy in the years before the internet. John and Lucille spent many hours visiting places related to the Sheffer and Gamby family histories. She was a member of the University Baptist Church of Carbondale.
Lucille fought a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease with John at her side. The family voiced appreciation to the caregivers at Manor Court Skilled Nursing Facility.
She is survived by her husband, John Gamby of Carbondale; a niece, Jill (James) Quisenberry of Urbana; a great-nephew, Will Quisenberry of Urbana; and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Michael Ray Gamby; and siblings Shirley Rogers, Maxine Dilbeck, Juanita Walker and Don Sheffer.
Graveside services for Lucille Gamby will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the American Legion Cemetery in Dongola, with the Rev. John Annable officiating. There will be no visitation, at the family’s request.
Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.