MINNEOLA - Beverly Gilmore, 79, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the Minneola Long Term Care Unit.

She was born May 21, 1938 at Hamburg, Iowa, the daughter of Devere and Eunice (Stowell) Godsey. She graduated from the College of Emporia where she received her degree in music and also met the love of her life. She went on to receive her Masters from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. While teaching at Ashland, she earned her Title I (Special Reading) certification from Emporia State University. She shared her love of music by teaching piano and grade school music. She was involved in Ashland and Minneola communities by playing the piano/organ for many churches, weddings and school musicals. She is remember mostly for her patience and kindness with her students. Bev retired from the public school in 1999 but continued teaching and playing the piano. The Gilmore home was always open to anyone in need, but especially grandchildren. She moved to Minneola in 2002 with her husband Tom.

She was a member of the Minneola United Methodist Church, PEO, Job's Daughters and Phi Beta Kappa.

On May 31, 1959 she married Thomas "Tom" Gilmore at Newton, Kansas. He preceded her in death on May 27, 2007.

Survivors include: her 3 children, Michael Gilmore and fiancé, Carol Stephenson, Larned, Nancy Marshall and husband Brian, Minneola and Monica Kane and husband Mitch, Colby; her brother, Lamont Godsey and wife Brenda, Houston, Texas; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Connie Dixson.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the Minneola United Methodist Church with Pastor Suzie Woods officiating.
There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place. Private family inurnment will be at a later date in the Valley Brook Cemetery, Overbrook, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the Prairie or Minneola Long Term Care both in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 459, Minneola, Kansas 67865.