Obituary of Debra Lavon Sherman Gamble

Life Reflections

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:25 - 30

Debra Lavon Sherman Gamble, was born on February 1, 1953 in Dallas, Texas to the parents of Andrew Lee Sherman, Jr. and Dorothy Marie Rainwater Sherman.  She attended Dallas Public Schools where she graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1971.  Debra entered the workforce after graduating from high school, diligently working full-time, taking college courses when possible, and raising her family.  She retired from Charlton Methodist Dallas Hospital in 2017.

Debra was blessed with a close and loving family.  She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Bruce Gamble, and to this union three daughters were born.  She raised her daughters with genuine love, patience, discipline, humility, and care.  Traits she also extended to all of her loved ones- parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, and everyone she held close to her heart.  

Immersed and raised in the Christian faith, Debra united with True Lee Missionary Baptist Church at an early age where she served until her death.  As a faithful and dedicated member, she served in the Youth Department when her daughters were young, as well as the Health Ministry; and was a member of the Robert L. Parish Sanctuary Choir.

Debra is proceeded in death by her husband Kenneth Bruce Gamble, her mother, Dorothy Sherman, and father, Andrew Sherman, Jr.  She leaves to cherish her memories: daughters DeShandra O’Neal (Fredrick), Kenya Brooks (Everett), and Kimberly Dunn (Oscar); bonus daughter Tonya Davis (Haran); sisters Janice Board (Virgil), Brenda Cash, Gail Jeffery, and Andrea Sherman; sister-in-love Linda Gamble Camp (Eddie); brother-in-love George Gamble (Kim); grandchildren Kyndal Gamble, Kenneth Brooks, Kyah Brooks, Wesley O’Neal, and Brielle Dunn; close childhood friends Thelma "Jean" Cole and Catherine Shamlin; beloved nephews and nieces; and a host of other family and friends.