Gail Marie (Minter) Bynum

Gail was born at home on December 12, 1937, to Robert Earl and Susan Alice (Chisam) Minter in Minnieville, MO. She was raised in a rural farm community. Growing up, she was very active in 4-H. She was proud to have raised her own hogs and displayed them at the State Fair. She was also proud of being selected as an Outstanding 4-H Girl and being elected President of the Clay County 4-H Council, as few girls were in those days.

Gail highly valued education. She loved school and liked a challenge. She graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1955, where she was a member of the Varsity Debate Club and happy to win several tournaments. She graduated from William Jewell College in 1959 and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She loved teaching Spanish early in her career. Midlife, she earned a couple masters degrees from Webster University. She earned her Ph.D. from Saybrook Institute. She also taught grade school and was Dean of a business school. After “retiring”, she worked teaching Phonics at a daycare.

Gail loved adventure. She began traveling internationally at 16 to Mexico and traveled to Europe over 9 times in her lifetime. While on summer vacation in Amsterdam, Holland, with her roommate and fellow teacher Nancy, she met James "Jim" W. Bynum. Jim was in the Army on a holiday leave with his brother Jerry when Jim asked the ladies if they wanted to take a ride in his brand new Triumph and go get something to eat. They ended up in a Chinese restaurant that Jim recommended, and as they say, the rest is history. Gail and Jim were married for 55 years. They both loved to travel and see the world; spent their retirement years living in an RV and traveling extensively throughout the United States.

Gail always made sure her children had every opportunity she could afford them, and she loved her grandchildren dearly. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, listening to music and genealogy. She traced her family roots back 8 generations, going to courthouses and libraries all over the country in her investigations. In her retired life, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and volunteered often at the Clay County Archives.

Gail was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother, Darrell Lee. She is survived by her step-son, James (Jennifer) Bynum of Las Vegas, NV; her two daughters, Susan Williams of Platte City, MO, and Pamela Bynum (fiancé Douglas) of Gladstone, MO; and her Venezuelan host son Luis Miguel (Holly) Martinez. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Tyler and Faith Bynum, Tessa (Tyler) Smith, Violet Williams; and three great-grandchildren: Misha and Sasha Martinez and Truman Smith; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with the funeral on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Newcomer's Church Archer Pasley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin St., Liberty, MO. Burial will be in the Fairview / New Hope Cemetery in Liberty, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to your favorite charity.