Ouida Carolyn Gambrell

Mrs. Ouida Carolyn Hemphill Gambrell passed away Thursday, January 20, 2022. Survivors include her son John R Gambrell, Jr (Randy) and wife Sherry Gambrell and her grandpuppy Bella, sister-in-law LaVerne Moseley and husband Frank Moseley, nephews Keith Hemphill, Brent (Sarah) Moseley, Bryan (Rhydonna) Moseley, and niece Becky Hemphill. Mrs. Gambrell was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John R. Gambrell, Sr., parents, Harvey Columbus Hemphill and Gladys Carter Hemphill of Avon Park, FL, and brother, James T. Hemphill and wife Margaret Hemphill of Columbus, GA. Mrs. Gambrell was born on November 5, 1934, and grew up in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She attended Scooba Junior College and graduated from Mississippi College for Women. She began her career in education in Glade, Mississippi, but moved to Florida after teaching one year there. From 1956 until 1994 she served as a teacher, guidance counselor, and elementary school administrator in Glade, Mississippi, Arcadia and Kissimmee, FL. Mrs. Gambrell was known as “The Teddy Bear” lady/counselor by her friends and colleagues and used teddy bears in counseling numerous elementary children. Over the years, she amassed a collection of several hundred teddy bears; all with names and a special meaning in her heart. Her impact on the development of school children was God-given and she served graciously. She was a positive, motherly, Christian influence on many school children and others who crossed her path and she cherished visiting with past students and staff throughout the years. She retired from the Osceola County School System (Kissimmee), Florida in 1994, concluding her career serving students at Reedy Creek Elementary School. While living in Arcadia, her husband John was a highly successful coach of the DeSoto Bulldog basketball team. Ouida was the ultimate “coach’s wife” and missed very few, if any, of John’s games during his basketball coaching career. She was even known to give the referees an ear full at times when she was sure they had made the wrong call. John later became a two term Superintendent of Schools in DeSoto County, and Ouida was very supportive and assisted John in being successful in all his endeavors. Although she may not recall specific games, scores, and events like John did, she still loved reliving “the glory days” of that season in their life. She was an ardent supporter of her “Dukie” basketball team, always keeping current with the program at Duke University and wearing her Duke blue paraphernalia. She very seldom missed a televised game and would not hesitate to make suggestions to the TV about the right defense to be using. After retirement, Ouida and John fulfilled their dream of building a log cabin in Maggie Valley NC, where she would sit on the porch and reminisce about her school career and the numerous folks she was blessed to call “friend.” Her love of God was an integral part of her daily life. She started her mornings with Bible devotions at her breakfast table and was a faithful prayer warrior to many. As a lifelong Southern Baptist, she served with John as Sunday School Director, Department Director, and Sunday School teacher and served on the State Mission Board of the Florida Baptist Convention. She sang in the church choir and sang solos when she would accompany John as he preached at various churches as a temporary lay minister. She was a member of First Church Fairhope, Alabama, where they moved in 2018. A celebration of Mrs. Gambrell’s life will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of her name to the “Samaritan’s Purse” or a charity of your choice. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD. FAIRHOPE AL. 36532 (251) 990-7775 www.wolfefuneralhomes.com