Funeral Services for Shirley Marie Gayer, Age 79 of Houston, Missouri will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2026 at The Souls Harbor Church, Houston, Missouri, beginning at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held starting two hours prior at 12-Noon. Interment will be in The Arthurs Creek Cemetery, Houston, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of The Bradford Funeral Home, Summersville, Missouri.
Shirley Fisher Gayer, 79, passed away on June 8, 2026, at Houston House in Houston, Missouri. She was born on April 1, 1947, in Wesley, California, to Lee Fisher and Goldie (Richardson) Elmore.
Born in California, Shirley spent her early years living in several states before returning to Missouri as a teenager. She graduated from Houston High School in 1965. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life, Delbert Gayer. The couple was united in marriage on June 12, 1965, and shared 61 years of love, devotion, and cherished memories together. To this union, four children were born: Shelia, Frank, Brian, and Bradley.
Shirley was a faithful member of Souls Harbor Church. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she loved serving the Lord. She taught Sunday School for many years and at one time served as the leader of the Ladies Ministry at Souls Harbor Church. She enjoyed quilting, canning the produce from her garden, and camping and RVing with family and friends. Shirley especially treasured time spent with her family, from holiday celebrations to gatherings throughout the year. She also loved to cook and bake for those she loved, looked forward to the excitement and craziness of Black Friday shopping each year, and cherished every minute of her 27 years working at Houston House. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Goldie Elmore; her father, Lee Fisher; her stepfather, Willie Elmore; her brother, Ervin Fisher; and her sister, Janie Moffet.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Delbert Gayer; her children, Sheila Alston and husband George, Frank Gayer and wife Letha, Brian Gayer and wife Cheryl, and Bradley Gayer and wife Missy; her grandchildren, Trinity Gray, Quinton Alston, Isaac Gayer, Jacob Gayer, Gavin Alston, Ian Gayer, Kellsi Hatton, Kolten Gayer, and Emmali Gayer; many great-grandchildren; her siblings, Roy Fisher, Eddie Fisher and wife Julie and Louise Gayer and husband Orval; a special friend, Cindy Dunford and husband Ed; along with many other relatives and friends.
Shirley will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love for family, her servant’s heart, and the kindness she shared with everyone she met. Her legacy of love, faith, and devotion will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
