Cindy Gay

Cynthia “Cindy” Diane (Helmuth) Gay was born on April 17, 1957 in Warren, Ohio to Jake and Irene Helmuth. She went to be with Jesus on Monday, August 3, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. When Cindy was a year old, they moved to Oklahoma for a while before moving to Kansas for a few years then returning to Oklahoma where she graduated from Adair with the class of 1975. While in school, Cindy meets the love of her life, Wes Gay, and they were married on May 31, 1975 at the Zion Mennonite Church. They moved to the family dairy known as Gay’s Dairy where she was a housewife, calf feeder, mother, and most of all a help mate to Wes for many years. They had 3 girls whom they raised and taught much about life; the biggest things she taught them was who Jesus was and what he means to her. Last year, Cindy went to work at the Woodshed in Adair, where she was the cook until she became sick with cancer. Cindy loved to spend time with family and friends; swimming, horseback riding, camping, traveling, and loved watching the redbirds. Cindy loved to attend church at The Gathering, and she hosted one of the life groups at her home. Cindy would do many Bible studies on her own and write in her journal daily about her life and what Jesus had taught her. The most important thing to Cindy was showing Jesus no matter what was going on in the world or her life daily, she shared her faith in him with anyone who would take the time to listen. She loved to show them how to love like Jesus. She was a devoted Christian wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed dearly on this side of Heaven. We know Cindy is worshipping at the feet of Jesus where she longed to be.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 6, 2020 at The Gathering Church in Adair, Oklahoma with Pastor Josh Greer officiating. Burial will follow in the Benge Cemetery in Strang with Craig Boggs, Nick Koger, Jared Chidester, Daylon Ramsey, Jake Helmuth, and Ethan Helmuth serving as casket bearers. Visitation will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at Shipman’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in her memory to her hospice family, Compassus at 35904 S. Highway 82 Vinita, Oklahoma 74301 or The Gathering Church building fund at 1859 W. 430 Adair, Oklahoma 74330. To leave her family a message, please visit her Tribute Wall at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman’s Funeral & Cremation Service.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Wes, of 45 years; her daughters, Carla Kerns and husband Roy, Shaunda Skaggs, and Jody Martin and husband Josh, all of Adair, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren, Kaileigh Gay, Skylen Tedford, Davien Tedford, Kenzley Kerns, Jedakiah Martin, and Jensin Martin; her mother, Irene Helmuth; sisters, Becky Campbell and Vickie Littlefield and husband Rodney; brother, Barry Helmuth; 2 sister in laws, Donna Helmuth and Christine Kiper and husband Willard; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; adopted family, Jared and Kristin Chidester and kids; special friends, Nick and Heather Koger and boys; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Jake Helmuth, and brothers, Bob Helmuth, and Richard Helmuth.