Amelia May Gesford

Amelia May (Stahl) Gesford was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1928 to Charlie and Millie Stahl. She was one of six sisters in a close knit loving family. Her family lived with her grandparents during the depression and both her mother and grandmother’s names were Amelia May. She was called “Little Millie” which she hated. At age 5 she advised everyone that she wanted to be called “May” and went by May the rest of her life. She was a tom boy and preferred to help her Dad with the outdoor work rather than do inside chores. She had fond memories of working in her family’s Victory Garden during WWII. She accepted Christ at a young age following the death of her best friend from botulism poisoning. She developed a deep faith and lifelong trust in the Lord.

She graduated from the Philadelphia College of Bible in 1953 where she excelled in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. She had dreams of working with Wycliffe Bible Translators. But God had other plans; she met and fell in love with Luman Gesford. They married and had 4 children, moving from Philadelphia to Wapato in 1963, for him to teach school. She also become a teacher, returning to college at age 39 after her children were in school. She graduated in 1970 as one of the top 25 graduates of Central Washington University. She taught in the Moxee School district for 21 years. She enjoyed teaching 2nd grade where her passion was to ensure that every child could read prior to leaving her class. She invested her time and life in others raising her grandson, Jaime, after her own children were grown.

She retired from teaching when she was 62, she and Lu wintered in Hilo, Hawaii, while maintaining a home in Union Gap. She started regular”migrations” to visit her adult children, grandchildren as well as sisters and family in Philadelphia. She was welcomed into their homes for extended visits and participated in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She continued to encourage and nurture her family spiritually. She was much loved and maintained close relationships with her immediate and extended family in Pennsylvania.

She was an avid reader especially enjoying historical fiction, played pinochle, square danced and participated in church activities. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Union Gap where she sang in the choir, taught adult Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for more than 30 years.

Her love affair with the movies started with “Star Wars” even to the point of collecting Star Wars plates and other memorabilia. She admitted seeing Star Wars in the theater more than 250 times often sitting thru consecutive showings. She attended the movies weekly often picking a favorite that she would watch repeatedly. She continued this practice even after the advent of VHS players. She especially enjoyed action movies. Once for Mother’s Day, she had the family take her to see “Predator vs. Alien”.

She traveled visiting Egypt while taking a college archeology course. She took trips to the Holy Lands with alumni and professors from Philadelphia College of Bible as they retraced Paul’s missionary journeys and visited Jerusalem. She went on excursions with her sisters to Washington DC, Branson, Missouri and New England.

Her family faced many challenges and struggles. Through all the difficulties May was always a rock in the storm with her unwavering trust and faith in the Lord. Her sweet and gentle spirit echoed God’s love and grace to all who knew her.

May was preceded in death by her husband, Luman Gesford, and sisters Frieda Sosinski, Betty Runkewich and Doris Sturgis Siti. She is survived by her children: Gail Gesford, Janice (John) Graham, Edward and David Gesford. As well as her sisters: Charlotte (Ron) Cook and Margaret Walls.

She cherished and was proud of her grandchildren: Jaime (Melissa) Gesford, Jason (Whittney) Graham, Trenton and Nathan Graham.

She also loved her great grandchildren: Gage and Gavin Gesford; Felicity, Nikolette, and Weston Graham.

She lived the last years of her life with her sons David and Ed who served as primary care givers, her loving “personal chauffeur and chef.”

Our family invites you to a memorial service and reception at the First Baptist Church of Union Gap 2706 S 2nd Street, Union Gap WA January 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. To share a memory of our mom and view pictures, visit www.keithandkeith.com. Donations may be made to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.