Gladys P. Wilson

Gladys graduated from Mars Hill College where she had met her future husband, Marshall Wilson. She then attended Carson Newman University where she and Marshall earned their bachelor's Degrees. She married Marshall in 1956 on the same day as their graduation. During the commencement ceremony, the university president made a comment about her recent name change to Mrs. Wilson. She attended Duke University in Durham, NC where she received her master’s degree. She started her career teaching kindergarten in Virginia and later taught special needs children at Wright school in Durham NC. After Marshall and Gladys had both finished their graduate degrees at Duke, the family relocated to Florida where she enjoyed a long career as a social worker for the Seminole County School Board.

Gladys was happiest when she was serving others. She enjoyed sharing meals and family gatherings during holidays and loved having her grandchildren and great-grandchildren around her. She was an accomplished baker, so there was always a sweet dessert treat waiting for the family after every meal. She loved to bake bread, can vegetables, make pickles or homemade strawberry preserves and grape jelly. She enjoyed activities such as playing the piano, sewing clothes and craft items, and she crocheted afghans up until her eyesight began to fail. She had a large cookbook collection and had started the process of writing her own cookbook full of family recipes. She was a faithful servant of the Lord and taught Bible studies and Sunday School classes at First Baptist Church Orlando where Marshall and Gladys were active members for over 52 years.

Gladys poured out her life for others as an offering – 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Despite all her achievements in academics and awards earned during her career, she was most proud of her opportunities to minister and provide relief to the children and families in schools all over Seminole County.

Mrs. Wilson is survived by her son, John Wilson and his wife Robin; daughter-in-law Cindy Wilson; 3 grandchildren, Joshua Wilson and his wife Rachel, Jamie Stacy and her husband Tyler; and Michael Wilson; and her 5 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ruth Wilson, of Raleigh NC; and many loving nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Gladys is predeceased by her husband Marshall, her parents, her brothers and sisters, and her son, James Wilson.

A service will be held on Saturday February 18, 11:00am at Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home, Oxford, NC with Rev. Bruce Beck of West Oxford Baptist Church officiating. A celebration of life service will be held at First Baptist Church, Henry Chapel Orlando FL on March 18, 2023 at 10:00AM

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to:

Orlando Lutheran Towers Employee Christmas Fund

Attn: Kathy Dominy, Administrator

Windsor Place

404 Mariposa St.

Orlando, FL 32801

Cornerstone Hospice Foundation

2445 Lane Park Road

Tavares, FL 32778-9648

https://cornerstonehospice.org/the-foundation/your-support/

Gladys will be laid to rest next to her husband, Marshall, in North Carolina.