GAYLE GROOMS

Gayle Grooms, 44, of 611 Sycamore, Cape Girardeau died at 2:18 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001, at The Lutheran Home at Cape Girardeau.

Gayle was born in Cape Girardeau on Jan. 5, 1957, to Alonzo and Helen Pratt Grooms.

Gayle lived a life of service to church and community and was deeply dedicated to youth work through these groups. She was especially active in youth programs within the United Methodist church. For many years she was the leader of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship at Chaffee United Methodist Church at Chaffee, Mo.

Gayle was a camp counselor during "Kuehele Week" at Epworth Among the Hills United Methodist Church Camp and was involved in the Missouri East Conference United Methodist Church Camping Program for 25 years. She served on the conference Council for Youth Ministries helping youth in the Missouri East Conference plan yearly activities.

Beginning in 1992, Gayle became involved in and committed to the Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis programs and served on the Walk to Emmaus board. She was an active member of the Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church.

In the Chaffee community, Gayle coached a girls' youth league softball team, "Groomer's Bloomers."

Although Gayle never had any children of her own, she loved and nurtured many children throughout the area.

She graduated from Chaffee High School in 1975, and she received degrees in elementary physical education and business education. Gayle was a Wal-Mart associate and also was employed by Cox Farms and Agri-Business in Delta, Mo.

Gayle is survived by her parents; a brother, Jerry Grooms of Jackson, Mo.; aunt and uncle Eva and Hank Golightly; cousins Sandra Patterson of Oran, Mo. and Nicole Rehak of Jackson.

Friends may call at the First United Methodist Church in Chaffee after 4 p.m. today.

There will be visitation after 9 a.m. Tuesday until the funeral, which will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Ed Hankinson officiating. He will be assisted by the Revs. Jim Hogue, Marty Blakey and Leland Butler.

Burial will be at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley, Mo.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are requested to be sent to the United Methodist Camps East or the Missouri East Walk to Emmaus Program.