Mrs. Deryl Elaine Gilford “BIG MOMMA”

Mrs. Deryl Elaine Gilford "BIG MOMMA" was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 5, 1956 to the union of Irene Smith and Willie Lee Smith. Deryl Elaine Gilford departed on December 2, 2023 in the comfort of her home with her devoted husband by her side. She was preceded in death by both of her parents Irene and Willie Smith. While growing up in Des Moines Deryl attended East High graduating in the top 20 percent of her class. After graduating Deryl furthered her education at Iowa State University and in 1979 she graduated from ISU with her Bachelors Degree. She later moved to Kansas City where she pursued her career as Director of Dietary. She worked and continued her education and earned her Masters’s Degree from Baker University. She worked at Park Lane Medical Center, Suedexo and Research Medical Center where she was Director of Dietary until she became ill. Although Deryl endured huge obstacles in her life she never let that affect her faith in Christ. Deryl was strong, masterful, loving and a child of God. She leaves not to mourn but to celebrate her life: husband Tyrone Gilford, daughter LeNieca Colbert, five grandchildren JaKyiah & Londynn Otis, Cainan Levels, Treasure & Tranise Wilkins, four brothers Michael, William, Galen and David Smith, one sister Rochelle Smith along with a host of relatives and friends.