She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Brown Nevels, and a son, John Nevels. She is survived by three children, Doris Hall (Emmett), Nancy Wilkins (Ted), and Robert Nevels (Diane Nickolson) and six grandchildren, Jim Wilkins (Molly), Meg Riazi (Ali), Andrew Wilkins, Tyler Nevels, Brooke Nevels, Alex Heath Nevels, and 2 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gladys was raised in Boynton, GA, the daughter of Will and Jennie Dailey. She had two brothers and two sisters. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Education from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Christian Education from Scarritt College. She taught seventh grade for many years in Treutlen, Oconee and Catoosa counties.
A highlight of her life was having the joy and honor of carrying the Olympic torch in the 1996 Olympics for Mitchell county. She was chosen to be a torchbearer because of her community service work.
Music was a large part of her life, beginning as a child with singing around the piano at bedtime. She sang in choirs in college and throughout life, even into her 90’s singing with the choir at her senior living facility. She also played hymns on the piano once a week for the other residents to join in a sing along.
Genealogy was a hobby that she pursued in her later years and she wrote two books about her historical findings. She also loved spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, Brown, both came from large families and they enjoyed many visits from those family members at their retirement home in Sale City, GA.
The United Methodist Church was always very special to Gladys. Coming from a family line of five generations of Methodist pastors, she was very immersed in the church. Back then, women were not allowed to be ordained, but years later she became a lay speaker in the North and South Georgia conferences.
The funeral will be held at 2pm on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Visitation will be at 1pm. There will also be a graveside service at the Sale City Cemetery on Saturday, October 22nd at 1pm.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to United Methodist Women at Hand Memorial UMC, 242 Hand Avenue, Pelham, GA 31779 or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sandyspringschapel.com for the Nevels family.
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