Ms. Shirley Jean ("Sunshine") Gumm

MRS. SHIRLEY JEAN GUMM was born November 4, 1945 to Erma Lee Gladney and Shirley Clarence Gumm who changed his name to Alton Clarence Gunn. Shirley was born in St. Louis, Missouri at St. Mary's Hospital and was the eldest of 13 children: Dorothy Gunn, Deloris Gunn, Anthony Gunn, Raymond Gunn, Bernard Gunn, Fredrick Paster, Judith Paster, Demar Paster, Christopher Paster, Beverly Woolridge, Andre Paster, and Tasha Cooney. 

Shirley was educated in the St. Louis School system and graduated from the Wentzville School District. After graduating high school, she attended St. Louis Community College and St. Charles Community College. Shirley was a talented and creative writer and went on to publish poems, articles, and other editorials. 

Education was very important to Shirley and she not only obtained her education, but she encouraged her family and friends that education was the foundation for success. After 40 years of dedicated service, Shirley retired from the State of Missouri Division of Family Services. 

She confessed her hope in Jesus at an early age. Shirley fellowshipped at Church on the Rock, under Ministry Leader Steve Himmel. 

Shirley had a loving spirit and loved to make people laugh and forget about their problems. She loved her family and enjoyed family get-togethers. Shirley was very supportive of her family and friends. 

Shirley is preceded in death by her twin sisters Dorothy and Deloris; brothers, Raymond and Anthony as well as her parents Alton and Erma Gumm and her husband Lonnie Sails. 

She is survived by her three children, Hariel Christian (Rolanda), Jackie Sails, and Jermaine Sails; siblings, Bernard Gunn, Fredrick Paster, Judith Paster, Demar Paster, Christopher Paster, Beverly Woolridge, Andre Paster, Tasha Cooney all of St. Louis, Missouri and a step-sister, Apostle Alma Bess of Birmingham, Alabama; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

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