Jefro Gilmore, Sr., 90, was born May 15, 1925 in Coffeeville, Alabama to the union of Coley Gilmore and Nettie (Webb) Gilmore. His parents both preceded him in death. Jefro was formally educated at the Putnam School in Coffeeville, Alabama. He received Christ at the age of twelve. At the time of his death he was a member of Greater St. Mathew Missionary Baptist Church. Jefro spent a portion of his young adult years in Tupelo, Mississippi and relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 1951. There he met and married Ella Mae Allen, and to this union twelve children were born. Jefro was employed as a steel worker at Morgan Foundry in the Leeds district until the time of his retirement in 1983. In his spare time he loved fishing, cooking wild game, and watching old cowboy movies. He could always be found wearing a stylish cowboy hat and a sharp pair of cowboy boots, and was affectionately known as 'Cowboy' by his friends and loved ones. Jefro departed this life in his home on April 6, 2016. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Mae Gilmore; three children, Shirley Stephenson, Volean Gilmore, and Jeffrey Smith; and his siblings, Annie Bell, Viola Foote, Mack Gilmore and Doreen Wills. He leaves to cherish his memory: his companion Margaret Rowe; thirteen children, Nettye Voker (Gbain), Ruby Johnson, Theodore Allen, Jeffrey Gilmore (Thomisa), Thomas Gilmore, Bruce Gilmore (Dorothy), David Smith, Donald Gilmore (Drina), Ronald Gilmore, Lois Smith, Darlene Davis (Robert), Christopher Gilmore, and Melonie Gilmore; one sister, Nora Lee White of Columbia, SC; twenty-seven grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren; one great-great grandchildren, and a host of other family members and friends. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 16, 11:00 a.m. at Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on this website.