Sergeant First Class Josia Gamble, 50, was born April 20, 1962 in St. Charles, SC to Louretta W. Gamble and Joseph L Gamble, Sr. She departed this earthly life on December 6, 2012.

Josia was educated in the public schools of Sumter, SC and was a 1980 graduate of Sumter High School. She received her BA from Wayland University and her MBA from Strayer University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Josia retired in 2001 as a First Class Sergeant from the United States Army where she served for twenty plus years and she was currently employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs in W-S, NC. She was a member of Zion Memorial Baptist Church and a member of Sisters of James H. Young Memorial Chapter #592, Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Susie Mae "Isabella" Williams; paternal grandparents, Mr. Roy and Mrs. Lilliam W. Gamble; two aunts, Jessie M. Young and Diane Wilson; and her uncle, Willie James Williams.

Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters, Angelkena J. Gamble and Lakisha R. Gamble; three grandchildren, Joshua J., Jazamine J., and Justin J. Gamble; her parents, Louretta W. Gamble of Sumter, SC and Joseph L. Gamble, Sr. of Turbeville, SC; sisters, Shirley M. Wells of Sumter, SC, Lenora Gamble-Pearson (Randy) of Bishopville, SC, Cindy L. Gamble of Sumter, SC, and Shericka I. Addison (Ronald)of Sumter, SC; brothers, Joseph L. Gamble, Jr. (Sylvana) of W-S, NC, Robert F. Gamble of Sumter, SC, Steven A. Gamble (Sherrie) of Horatio, SC, and Christopher L. Gamble (Alice) of Rembert, SC; maternal aunts and uncle, Harry Mae Berry, Neola McLeod, Rosetta Williams, Jody Williams and Cornell Wilson; paternal aunts and uncle, Helen (Vernal) Howard, Loretta (LeVerne) Rose, Delsenia Thompson, and Ella M. (Daniel) Prince, and Eugene Wilson, Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm Monday, December 10, 2012 at Zion Memorial Baptist Church, 101 Dunleith Ave. W-S, NC 27101 with Rev. Dr. Joseph Jones officiating. The family visitation will be held from 1pm until 2pm on Monday at the Church. Interment will be held at 12noon Wednesday, December 12, 2012 in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC.