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Fleta Gamble

December 15, 1945 — February 13, 2023

Fleta Laverne Gamble, age 77, of Clarksville, TN passed away Monday, February 13, 2023.

Celebration of Life will be held at 3 P.M Saturday, March 11, 2023, at McReynolds-Nave & Larson with Pastor Larry King officiating. Burial will take place at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Fleta entered this life on December 15, 1945, in Visalia, CA to the late Jasper Cole Lee and Betty Johnston Lee.

In 1964, Fleta Lee, 18 excitingly eloped to Las Vegas, NV with then 27-year-old navy veteran, Herbie Gamble, they enjoyed 43 years of life together until his passing in 2007. In their budding days together, they loved traveling throughout California with his company Southern California Edison until they settled down in Lomita, CA. In 1969 her dream came true, and she became a mother, first to John Cairl and then to Ann Marie in 1971. The family moved to Lindsay and built a home on a country acre in 1976, a part of California’s Central Valley. Being an extrovert, it didn’t take Fleta long to make lifelong friends, with her big heart and radiant personality she quickly set out to be a part of her local community, children’s school, and of course getting involved in every activity imaginable. Through her large network of friends, she found her forever home church, Sonlight Christian Fellowship. She was a founding member, and it was there where she gathered her second family and forever friends. She loved to participate and volunteer in Women’s and Youth Ministries. In her giving nature she was always extending a helping hand to community organizations. For a time, she served as President of the Strathmore / Lindsay chapter of Aglow International Ministries. She also volunteered her time to the California chapter of Concerned Women for America, an organization that protects and promotes Biblical values and Constitutional principles. In 2009 she and her other supporters attended their national conference in Washington DC.

Fleta was always a go-getter. In 1980 she decided to get her associate degree from the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA. Money was limited, and she was determined to get her degree. So she figured out a way to rideshare the 50 miles round trip to the college and back while continuing her love of being a devoted mother and homemaker. She completed the task and in 1983 she went into the workforce, she started working as a secretary in Visalia, and eventually transferred her skills to the school system first starting with Washington Elementary School, in Lindsay, CA, and then on to Strathmore High School. This is where she was a Jill – of – all – trade. She started as a Teacher’s Aide, then working one on one with the high schoolers with activities such as Cheerleading Coach, Christian Club Advisor, Friday Night Live (aka Students Against Drunk Driving), and The Parents Booster Club. She evidentially retired in 2012 from Assembly of God Church in Porterville, CA as the office secretary.

Whether in her Church, Community, or School, she spread her arms open wide to render aid and comfort to those in need and would tell of the love of Jesus to those who would listen. The Lord Jesus gave her a positive outlook on life so she could minister to those around her and be a light to the world.
In 2017, while living in an Assisted Living facility in Long Beach, CA, she met her second love, Clyde Lovett after a 4-year relationship they happily married in Clarksville, TN. The time they spent together was one filled with love, laughter, caring, and comfort. As a family, we were elated that her heart was big enough to find love again.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her oldest and only son John Cairl Gamble on August 10, 2004, and Herbie Gene Gamble on September 7, 2007.

Survivors include her husband, Clyde “PeeWee” Lovett of Clarksville, TN, daughter Ann Marie Gamble Mathis, and son-in-law, Kevin Mathis of Clarksville, TN. Daughter-in-law Misty Jones of Lindsay, CA. Grandchildren; Hailey Paul of Porterville, CA, Hillary Borror of Springville, CA, Bradley Paul of Strathmore, CA, Matthew Gamble of Odessa, FL, Mason Gamble of Fort Wayne, IN, and Rylee Jones of Lindsay, CA. Great grandchildren; Paisley Paul, Presley Paul, Phoenyx Paul, Penn Paul, Brody Borror, Ryder Behrens, Gauge Behrens, Knox Behrens, and Remington Paul. Along with her sister-in-law Michele Dorr and brother-in-law Greg Dorr of Burkesville, KY. As well as many more, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She battled early-onset dementia which got worse as she aged. There is not enough being done to accelerate research and a cure for Dementia or Alzheimer's. We need more medical and dietary education and an understanding of how this disease attacks our brain health. If you would like to donate in memory of FLETA L. GAMBLE, you may do so here at the ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION www.alz.org.


Online condolences may be made at http://www.NaveFuneralHomes.com
To order memorial trees in memory of Fleta Gamble, please visit our tree store.

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