Kathryn Irene Dyche Gurley, a lifelong resident of Springfield, MO, passed away on November 25, 2017, embraced by family and surrounded with love. An adoring and adored friend, Kathy was an incredibly hard-working provider and mother, and a role model for friendship, strength, parenting, generosity and strong Christian faith.

Born in 1941 to Floyd and Juanita Dyche, Kathy was raised with loving, strong, and intelligent female role models on both sides of her family. Kathy graduated from Central High School and then Missouri State University, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. Kathy taught at Rountree Elementary School for 6 years. In 1967, she married Robert (Bob) Sanger Gurley, also of Springfield. Kathy and Bob started a janitorial business in the 1980s. After Bob's untimely passing in 1986, Kathy ran the business by herself for numerous years. Also in 1986, Kathy joined the board of directors for Rebcol, Inc., a family business started by her father-in-law, C. Harold Gurley. She was active with the business and officially joined the company as corporate secretary in the early 1990s, bringing great knowledge, dedication, and financial savvy, which were instrumental to the company's ongoing success. The stewardship of the legacy of her father-in-law, and the company he founded, are gifts to her family and the community. She retired in January 2017, yet remained on the board and as a valuable advisor and consultant until her death.

Kathy leaves behind her children and families: Michelle Gurley of Brixey, MO; Stephanie Gurley-Thomas, Todd Thomas, and their children, Lucy and Archie, of St. Louis, MO; and Cole and Jennifer Gurley of Springfield. She also leaves many loved cousins, nieces and friends and family.  Kathy was "G.G." to Lucy (9) and Archie (6), and she called them her "grands." The grands were the light of G.G.'s life from the moment they were born, and the love and fun they shared was an immense blessing in her later years.

As a mother, the pride, faith, and encouragement Kathy gave to her kids to follow their talents and dreams was unwavering throughout their lives. She went to every game, recital, dance class, band competition, soccer game, concert, and more. She let her children find their own paths, and respected their decisions. She also served as a second mom to many of her kids' friends, encouraging and supporting them as if they were her own.

Kathy loved all sports. She followed the Missouri State basketball teams, the Kansas City Chiefs, and her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Kathy watched every Cardinals game and knew (nearly) every statistic. Her love of baseball and her team were contagious, and made the game ever so much more fun for anyone watching with her.

Kathy had a unique way of touching everyone she met. She had friends from all walks of life. She was always ready for a nice, long chat, whether over the phone or pulled up to her dining table with two cups of coffee. She met monthly with her high school group the "hens" and her bridge group for more years than any of them want to admit. A long-time member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, Kathy was active in many groups and volunteered in many areas over the years.

A memorial and celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Contributions in Kathy's name may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.