Charlene (Quell) Gannaway, age 77, left her earthly home to be with her Lord on July 15, 2018, after a 14 year-battle with Alzheimer's.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Rose Mary Quell.

Charlene was born in Washington D.C., later spent her early grades in Springfield at Sunshine School and moved with her family to North Kansas City, MO in the sixth grade, where she finished both grade school and high school.

Charlene was the Worthy Advisor of Rainbow Girls, president of her high school sorority, Chi Phi, head cheerleader of North Kansas City high school, 1958 Homecoming Queen of North Kansas City high school and graduated in the top 1% of her class.

At Missouri State University (then SMS) she was a cheerleader, a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, an accomplished honors student and was privileged to prepare the manuscript for Dr. Duane Meyer's first book, "The Highland Scots of North Carolina".  She gave up the appointment of SMS Pep Commissioner and head cheerleader to leave school and work to assist her new husband finish his undergraduate degree and subsequent law degree at Missouri University.  However, in later years, upon returning to Springfield she earned her bachelor's degree from Missouri State, with honors.

Charlene loved boating, swimming, fishing and everything associated with being at their second home on Table Rock Lake.  She loved flowers and when healthy, maintained a beautiful flower garden.  She loved playing tennis with her tennis pals at Twin Oaks Country Club, before her disease also took that pleasure from her.  The only, and greatest pleasure she held onto through her struggle was her love of family, her sons and special grandchildren, and her love, faith and conscious devotion to her Creator.

Charlene is survived by her husband, Lee Gannaway; their sons, Barry (grandchildren, Ryan Gannaway and Jesse Gannaway), and Jason (wife Gina, grandchildren, Lea Gannaway and Justin Gannaway); her sisters, Elsiann Patterson (husband, Pat) and Paula Jean Quell (companion, Larry Davis).

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. noon on Thursday, July 19, 2018 in the funeral home.  Interment will follow the service at Missouri Veterans Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Missouri State University Foundation Football Special Projects Fund.