Gladys Montgomery's Obituary
Gladys Loreda Montgomery, daughter of Francis “Frank” Marshall and Rosa Zetta Kissee Biggs, was born June 28, 1917, near Phillipsburg, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, June 20, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty-eight years, eleven months, and twenty-two days. On March 3, 1934, she was united in marriage to Woodrow “Woody” Thomas Montgomery, and to this union one daughter was born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Woodrow, on December 20, 1986; two brothers, Charley and Lavern Biggs; and five sisters, Ada Minkler, Ruby McAllister, Edna Mullican, Kathleen Kruger, and Dorothy Mosier. Gladys is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Freida and Jim Hays, of Lebanon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Debbie Lockwood, and her husband, Mike, of Springfield, Missouri, and Monty Hays, and his wife, Aimee, of Lebanon, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Brooks, Brady, Avery, and Libbee; two sisters, Bonnie Stansbarger, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Ethel Irish, of Overland Park, Kansas; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born and raised in the Phillipsburg community. After she and Woody were married, they made their home in the Lebanon area and lovingly raised their daughter. During World War II, Gladys worked as a Gray Lady, mending clothing for the soldiers. In addition to being a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, she also worked as a seamstress at the Rice Stix Factory for a few years, and then later was a cafeteria cook at Donnelly Elementary School. Gladys made her profession of faith in Christ at the age of sixteen at the Liberty Free Will Baptist Church. She and Woody were co-founders and charter members of First Free Will Baptist Church in Lebanon. Gladys faithfully attended services and was actively involved in her church having been a Sunday school teacher, church clerk, Deacon’s wife, and a member of the church choir throughout the years. She also entertained pastors and their families in her home on Sundays and Wednesdays numerous times a year, and always had Sunday lunch for her family. In her spare time she enjoyed making quilts, cooking, and listening to Southern Gospel music. Her family was her greatest delight in life and she loved spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren by always having candy and gum for them in her purse. She possessed a zest for exercise, a positive outlook, and Christian values that she hoped to pass on to others. Gladys was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2006, in the First Free Will Baptist Church of Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorial contributions to First Free Will Baptist Church Family Life Center and may be made through the funeral home.
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