EVELYN GAY (THOMAS) BURKE

On October 7th, 1931 the world was blessed with the birth of Evelyn Gay Thomas. She was child number 9 out of 11 children, born to James Kelly Thomas and Nancy Genevra (Harley) Thomas. Gay was born in Wasola, MO in her home where she lived throughout her school years. She recalls working on the farm and in the garden, milking cows and walking to the school in Romance, MO, along with her siblings. She loved the life she had been given. The family enjoyed having neighbors over for front porch jamborees, with her Dad playing the banjo and other family members joining in on the fiddle or guitar. They lived in a small two bedroom house in the “holler” without indoor plumbing, kept their food cold in a nearby spring, and rode to Sunday worship at the Barren Fork church of Christ in a horse drawn wagon each week. Her family was hard working and loving, with their faith in God at the core of their lives. Gay lived out her beliefs and put her Lord on in baptism in Barren Fork Creek while still living at home. She remained a faithful servant of God her entire life.

After graduating from Gainesville High School, Gay moved to Norwood, MO, and worked at a grocery store and feed store, where she met a handsome young Air Force man. Gayland was a local boy who would stop by the store when he was home. They were married on August 28, 1954 in Norwood, MO. As newlyweds they lived in Midwest City, OK, and then moved to the Bahama Islands where Gayland worked as a weather observer for Panamerican Airlines. The Bahamas was a pretty exotic place for a small town girl to live!

After the Air Force, they moved to Kansas City, MO, where Gayland attended the KC Art Institute to achieve his dream of becoming an artist. He worked as an editorial artist at the Kansas City Star for over 30 years. In 1958, Denise Jeanne was born, with Dawn Annette joining the family in 1960. Gay was a homemaker while the girls were young, and very involved in her girls’ school activities. She was a Brownie leader and taught Sunday School at the Brush Creek church of Christ. Gay and Gayland were wonderful role models for their girls, taking them to visit shut-ins and nursing homes on a regular basis, teaching VBS and Saturday Bible School. They were deeply supportive of mission work, locally and abroad. Gay preferred to work behind the scenes, as she faithfully supported Gayland as an elder in the Brush Creek, Red Bridge, and 151st Street churches of Christ. She taught others about Jesus through World Bible School correspondence courses and brought many to Christ through that program.

After the girls started school, Gay worked at Topsy’s Popcorn to save for the girls’ college. She saved up her coupon money to pay for some very memorable vacations that Denise and Dawn warmly recall. Some of those special trips were to Colorado, Canada, Florida, Washington D.C., Arkansas, and the Smoky Mountains. The family tent-camped and cooked meals over a campfire. They once woke in the middle of the night to a flash flood in Alley Springs, MO. The park rangers evacuated the campground, and they spent the night in a motel. That was a treat! All of these family adventures helped the girls develop a deep appreciation for the beauties of nature and its Creator.

One of Gay’s big accomplishments was learning to drive while Dawn was in High School! She had never driven up to that point, and realized she would need to do so after the girls were gone. Taking on that challenge later in life made an impression on the girls that would last.

Gay had a wonderful relationship with both of her sons-in-law and treated them as her own children. She had prayed for these men for many years and was beyond thankful that her girls ended up with the right fellas! One of her greatest joys was having all of her family under one roof and feeding them, often to excess! She also enjoyed opening her home to many others throughout her life. She was well known for her lasagna and poppy seed chicken. Gay welcomed each and every new grandchild as if it were her first, and made them all feel very special. At the time of her death, Gay had five grandchildren and their spouses, and six great grandchildren. Family meant very much to her! She also was blessed with many friendships due to her warm, inviting personality.

During their empty nest years, Gay and Gayland enjoyed traveling and trying out Bed and Breakfasts while exploring new parts of the country. After Gay and Gayland moved to Raymore, MO, they became active members of the Belton church of Christ.

In the latter years of their marriage, Gay was a fulltime caregiver for Gayland as he dealt with Alzheimer’s disease. She loved him through it all, relying on God and others to help her in this role. After Gayland passed in 2014, Gay continued to live in her own home as long as her health allowed. She has spent the last 4 years at Foxwood Springs Health Care Center in Raymore, MO. Gay fought the good fight, kept the faith and left for her heavenly reward, joining her sweetheart, Gayland, on January 26, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents and all ten of her siblings. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Alyene Burke, of Newport Beach, California; daughters, Denise Fultz (and Earl) of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Dawn Hemphill (and Bradly) of Edmond, OK; five grandchildren: Jordan Fultz (and Lydia) of Kansas City, MO, Bethany Spillman (and Jacob) Air Force family, Shannon Hughes (and Jackson) of Sterling, VA, Adam Hemphill of Midwest City, OK, Matthew Hemphill (and Susan) of Edmond, OK; six great grandchildren: Elliott Fultz, Emelyn, Asher, Rory, and Judah Spillman, and Stuart Hemphill. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her laughter and warmth.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7pm on Monday, February 2nd, at Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore, MO. Services will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 11:00 am, also at Cullen Funeral Home. Interment will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Kansas City, MO following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Gay are suggested to either of the following organizations:

World Bible School https://www.worldbibleschool.net/tribute/ or

The Alzheimer’s Association (to honor her caregiving role) https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk?px=16688788&pg=personal&fr_id=19860 

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278