Deloris Mae (Allen) Gayman

Deloris Mae (Allen) Gayman, 70, rural Schell City, transitioned to the Church Triumphant on June 30, 2009. Deloris was born in Newhall, Calif., on Nov. 9, 1938, the third child born to Robert and Wilma Allen of Moundville, who along with a granddaughter preceded her in death.

Deloris graduated from Sheldon High School in 1956 and was employed at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Deloris became acquainted with Dan Gayman, a student at Kansas City Metropolitan Junior College, and they married on June 28, 1958.

During the early years of their marriage, Deloris worked with and accompanied her husband, an evangelist in Churches of Christ, throughout Southwest Missouri. Following her husband's graduation from Southwest Missouri State University in 1964, Deloris and her family lived and taught in both Schell City and Drexel.

In 1961, Dan entered active duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Berlin Crisis under the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Following Dan's discharge from the Air Force, Dan and Deloris returned to Drexel and remained there until they moved to Evergreen, Colo., where they became involved in a Christian training institute for youth.

Throughout her married life, Deloris was committed to her home church, the Church of Israel, where she served many roles -- 25 years as organist, choir member and tenor for the female quartet, Higher Ground. Deloris taught elementary classes when Christian Heritage Academy (with current enrollment of 60 students) first opened in 1977. For more than 30 years, Deloris worked as secretary for her church and assisted with evangelistic meetings, traveling and holding church services in almost every state in the United States, as well as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Deloris was a great driver and loved reading maps; she was familiar with every major highway in America. Deloris was a zealous Christian, working tirelessly for her church and assisting her husband in every aspect of ministry. Deloris was regarded as a cornerstone pillar in the church where she served all of her adult life.

Deloris was very devoted to her family of six children, their spouses and her 32 grandchildren. She was a devoted wife and mother and generously served the needs of her family. Her table was always set for a stranger and her charitable nature was constantly displayed at a table lavished with food she had prepared. She sought no credit for anything but was a server in almost everything. Deloris adored her family and her home was a frequent gathering place for her delicious meals. She will be sorely missed by her family and congregation as well as numerous friends throughout the Untied State and foreign countries.

We celebrate the life of Deloris Gayman and take comfort in knowing that she rests in the presence of Jesus Christ and will one day share in the glory of the resurrection and share eternity with those she so dearly loved on earth.

She is survived by her husband, Dan Gayman, of the home in rural Schell City; three sons, Douglas, and Candace Gayman, rural Schell City, and their children, Jessica, Jenna, Joseph, Jeremy, Joshua, James and Josiah; Robin, and her husband, John Coleman, rural Schell City, and their children, Jordan, John Adam, Justin, Andrew, Joanna, Erika, Jackson, Jillian and Eden; Timothy, and Sarah Gayman, Phoenix, Ariz,, and their children, Jacob, Jared, Victoria and Benjamin; Julie, and her husband, Reed Benson, rural Schell City, and their children, Katarina, Abigail, Zachary, Lauren, Eric, Luke and Seth; Dana, and her husband, Nathan Buttorff, rural Schell City, and their children, Austin, Anastasia, Elijah and Alexia; and Lieutenant Jonathan, and Sarah Gayman, stationed in Twentynine Palms, Calif.; and great-grandson, Jason Gayman, North Carolina.

Pastor Dan Gayman conducted the services Saturday, July 4, in the Church of Israel, rural Schell City. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery, Schell City, under the direction of Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home, Schell City. Pallbearers were her sons and sons-in-law.

Memorials are suggested to the Church of Israel.