Bernice Gambill

Bernice Gambill, age 102, was a resident of Tecumseh, passed away from this life on Monday, April 17, 2023, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Bernice was born December 9, 1920, in Chester, Montana to Teman and Bertha Tatum.  She had 2 sisters and 1 brother.  They returned to Oklahoma in 1921.

She graduated from Tuttle High School in the class of 1938.

Bernice was married to Wendell Gambill on October 24, 1937, in Tuttle, Oklahoma.

They celebrated 60 years of marriage, before he passed away in 1998.   

In Bernice’s younger years, she balanced her life as a homemaker and mother, helped on the ranch and was the accountant for their family business.  She taught Sunday school over the years and was always active in her church. She loved her Lord, home, family and her friends.

After the death of Wendell in 1998, she moved from the family ranch and moved to Tecumseh where she has lived for the last 25 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Albert Tatum; 2 sisters, Gladys Rogers, and Roselyn Barbee all from California; and her husband, Wendell Gambill.               

Her memory is kept alive, by her daughter, Sharen Polkinghorne, of Oklahoma City; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Ava Gambill of Tecumseh; 4 grandchildren, Greg, Jason, Josh Gambill, and Lance Lenhart; 6 great grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

Visitation will be 10:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Cooper Funeral Home; 210 West Walnut Ave; Tecumseh, OK 74873.

A Celebration of Life will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kenneth Curliss officiating. Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated the Word of Life Ministries Prison Fund; 737 Heritage Grove Rd.; Leander, TX  78641, or the charity of your choice.