The corner of East 14th Street and Liberty Street now bears the name of a man whose legacy lives on in the hearts of the community he served for decades.
A new street sign unveiled Thursday honors the late Raymond P. Gamble, a longtime funeral director and owner of Gamble Funeral Home. The sign reads “Honorary Raymond P. Gamble Way” and stands near the location of his business, which he founded in 1987.
Family members and the community gathered for the dedication, reflecting on the life and impact of a man they say was devoted to others.
“My dad left a legacy. My dad loved the community. He made an impact on the community. He loved his people,” said his daughter, Angelique Colbert. “And with that being said, today is a major deal. And to be able to honor my dad with a street name, it’s mind blowing.”
Colbert said she feels her father would be proud of the recognition.
“All I can say is my daddy is really looking down and he is so proud of everybody, including his staff, including his family, especially his wife, because she has just stepped up and she took off with it,” she said. “I’m so thankful to be a part of this family.”
Gamble’s wife, Angela Gamble, described him as a tireless servant to others.
“Raymond was a dedicated, hardworking, big-hearted giant is what he was,” she said. “He put people before himself, he was loving. He was a person that would be there regardless if you needed him in the day or night, he would be there for you.”
She said her husband likely would have been humbled by the gesture.
“Well, the first thing he would have said was, no, we’re not gonna do this. He was very humble,” she said. “So to do this to him, to honor him, would have been totally something I would have done, and he would have been like, no, I don’t deserve this. And in all actuality, he does deserve, he does. He was by far, he definitely deserved this. But he would be happy, and I feel that he’s happy today.”
Raymond Gamble was born in Christian County in 1951 and was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Olmstead. After graduating from the Kentucky Mortuary of Science in 1972, he worked for Babbage Funeral Home before eventually founding Gamble Funeral Home in Hopkinsville. He continued to provide embalming services for other funeral homes in the region even after establishing his own.
He died in 2019 at the age of 68.
His children say the sign is not just a tribute, but a lasting reminder of his quiet generosity and love for others.
“I mean, honestly, it means a lot,” said his son, De’Airion Bronaugh. “He was somebody that, as you can see, really cared about the community. The community really cared about him. And he just always gave his all to everything that he did. And just, it’s an honor, I can’t lie, it’s an honor.”
“It means a lot to have this sign here. I do wish he was here to see it, but I know he’s smiling down,” said his daughter, De’Anna Bronaugh. “And he was never a man that wanted to be put in the front. He liked to do everything behind closed doors. It’s a good thing that he’s receiving his flowers now.”
In addition to his funeral work, Gamble was known for helping others quietly and consistently. His awards included the George S. Dooley Humanitarian Award and the James Quarles Minority Business of the Year Award.
