Gladys was born on November 14, 1938 in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi to a large and loving family. She developed a strong work ethic, picking cotton in the fields with her five siblings. In high school, Gladys was a star basketball player and never failed to remind family members that they got their speed from her. Following graduation, she moved to Memphis where she met the love of her life, Jerry Davis. Soon after, they began their family.
Throughout her life, Gladys was a faithful Christian, and her love for the Lord was infectious. For over forty years, Gladys, known to many as “Nanny,” served in the nursery at First Baptist Church Fisherville. Gladys cared for generations of children and rightfully earned the reputation of being a “baby whisperer.” Her love of children was rivaled only by her love of desserts. Nobody could make a pecan pie, divinity, fudge, or peanut brittle better than her.
Gladys is preceded in death by her husband of over fifty years, Jerry Davis; her parents, Mary Annie and Everett Breland; her brothers, Bud Breland and David Breland; her sister, Helen Wyatt; and her son-in-law, David McPeake. She is survived by her daughter, Becky McPeake; her son, Jeff Davis (Susan); her grandchildren, Melanie Eidson (Michael), Blane McPeake (Kaitlin), and Alex Davis; her great-grandchildren, Mattie Eidson, Mason Eidson, Raegan McPeake, and Rory McPeake; her foster daughters, Pearl Shourd (Kenny) and her children Daniel and Jacob, and Elizabeth Breland (Bubba) and her children John Michael and Andrew; her sisters, Louise (Billy) and Ruth; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Annie.
Gladys was a wonderful Christian wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. While we mourn her passing, we celebrate her life, legacy, and God’s eternal promise of ever-lasting life through His son, Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Glady’s name to First Baptist Church Fisherville, 11893 Macon Road, Eads, Tennessee 38028, or St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visitation will be at First Baptist Church Fisherville, 11893 Macon Road, Eads, Tennessee 38028 on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with funeral services to begin at 12 p.m.
