Gladys Woodard
Our sweet momma’s nightmare is over. Gladys Woodard has gained her healed body and is back with the love of her life.
Gladys Louise Tolbert Woodard, 82, of League City, TX left the earthly world on the afternoon of Saturday, August 29, 2020 after suffering from the devastating attack of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was preceded in death by her parents Jack M. and Ella Mae Shiflett Tolbert. Gladys was born June 30, 1938 in Weldon, Texas and is the oldest child of 4. The family would move to Texas City for her father to find employment. She graduated in 1956 a proud Stingaree from Texas City High School and would go on to attend Sam Houston State University in pursuit of Nursing. She worked for the health district for many years as a phlebotomist and at Dr. Paul Fine’s practice as the office manager until it closed. She would then work for Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She also owned “Gifts Unique” boutique in Dickinson. If she didn’t know your family through the doctor’s office, she knew you thru the gift shop. She never met a stranger and had a big smile for all. Until her sickness, she worked as a bus driver’s aide for CCISD so that she could spend even more time with her honey – Johnny. Gladys remained close to all her Stingaree classmates until the end. She dedicated tons of time planning numerous class reunions and keeping up with everyone’s happenings and communicating to all. Telepho”m”e, Telegraph, Tell Gladys.
Gladys was proceeded in death by her husband Johnny, who left the world in May of this year. John and Gladys met at the bowling alley in Dickinson and they would marry a little less than two months later April 5, 1963 at St. John Methodist Church. They celebrated 57 years of marriage in April of this year. They would add a baby girl to the family making home in Texas City and adding two other children. In 1979, they moved to their League City forever home with a 14, 11 and 8 years old in tow. The family felt Gladys and Johnny would not be separated for long after losing him– in all they were only apart 97 days and now they are together again.
Gladys dabbled in everything – mostly for the chit-chat and socializing. She was extremely successful in Tupperware sales even recruiting (forcing) her brother Mack into the business. She earned Jay a brand-new bike from AMCO sales that was so “coveted” in 3rd grade – that is was stolen from school and then apparently returned the next day. She and her mother were very close going to the salon weekly – however, it was a surprise every week to Gladys’ family as to who she would be – a blonde, redhead, brunette and even darker. She always looked beautiful, loved to shop with her Mother Ella Mae and then little boy Jay at The Fair in Texas City every Saturday morning. In recent years, JCPenney, Macy’s and James Avery were her favorite hot spots and she’d look for any reason for Brenda or Paula to take her.
She is survived by 3 children, Paula Woodard-Knox (Frank), Brenda Kay Barchman (Donovan) and John “Jay” C. Woodard, Jr. (Mandy). As well as seven grandchildren – Josh Reagan, Brady Woodard, Jordan Reagan, Emily Woodard, Zane Knox, Jake Knox and Presley Woodard.
She is survived by Sister Fran Tolbert Morris (Lloyd) of Frisco, TX, brother Chet Tolbert (Betty) of Tomball, TX and one brother Mack Tolbert preceded her in death. She is also survived by a sister-in-law Judith Ann Warco (George) of Greensville, South Carolina, and numerous nephews and nieces, cousins and other relatives who she loved dearly and enjoyed spending time.
The family will honor you and remember the person you are, not what the disease created. You are in a much better place with Johnny, so many of your love ones and in your perfect form. We will all miss having to “call and let me know you made it!” If only she could give us one last call. We are sad for our loss, but blessed you are whole again.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 4, 2020 from 6-8pm and the Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 5, 2020 at noon. Both will be held at the Crowder Funeral Home at 1645 E Main Street in League City.
The family would like to extend a special appreciation to HCA Hospital and Brenda Hingle as well as AMED Hospice for making her last days as comfortable as possible.
I will forever miss Gladys.
Indeed- “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Always a smile,a laugh, a kind word, a helper. Now home at last. Love you.
I did not know you that well in school, but all the work
and association with you all these years on the reunion
committee and other events made the wait worthwhile… RIP dear friend…
Gladys my sister, before she got sick we talked and talked almost every day not sure if we got much accomplished other then just the joy of talking to each other that will truly be missed by me. My conversation’s with Gladys want stop just be a little one sided but I am sure she is still listen. To say I am going to miss her is an understatement but to say I will always lover her is a true statement.
Rest in Pease with the Family until we meet again Love You
Missing her already. I’m so glad I was able to see her early in the year. I will treasure that last hug.
What a good friend you were. Fun together during our school years and loved our card games with the Moores in later years. I wont ever forget our times together.
So sorry for the loss of your mother new her threw the auxiliary. Your dad and my husband were in the SAL together.
Gladys may have been my oldest friend, from elementary school, when we both lived in the West End in Texas City. All these years she has always kept in touch and reminded me of that. She was always upbeat, and reading this beautiful story of her life makes me wish we could have lived closer together all these years. I will miss her a lot, and today this news leaves a little cloud over my heart..
So sorry for your loss.She was sush a loved friend to the class of 56 and provided such .She will be missed by so many of us.
When I would get a call from Gladys, it would be a great day. Our TCHS class of 1956 will always be grateful for Gladys’ for her organizational skills in our class functions. Her thoughtfulness and many kindnesses will be truly missed.
One of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met. I’ll always remember you and your kind heart.
Before I met Brenda while working at Ross Elementary, I knew Gladys as the brave young lady who taught my husband’s (Sid Worthy) Sunday School Class at St. John’s in Texas City. Teaching the Worthy boys gave her my upmost admiration! She always had a smile and a kind word. So happy that Gladys is reunited with her love. Prayers for her family as they feel the void left in their hearts.
Gladys and I met in the 1st grade and formed a close friendship that has lasted all these years. I will miss her and her bright outlook, but am relieved that she is finally at peace. The class of 1956 is a special group of people and we will always be grateful for her work in getting us together at reunions.
I miss my friend of many years we were friends and classmates who were reunited during a class reunion. Gladys loved watermelon as much as I do and she and John would come each year and spend time with me when melons were in season even though John would not join us in eating them he made sure we did not run out.
I love you, Mom. You will live on forever in my heart. Thank you for adopting me and showing me so much love. Gone but certainly never forgotten