On Monday, October 14, 2024, Gladys Marie Lewis Dean was called to her eternal rest at The Woodland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Farmville, VA. God, in His infinite wisdom, called her to be with him. Gladys was born on May 7, 1938 in Buckingham, Virginia to Deacon Benjamin F. Lewis, Sr. and Deaconess Ruth L. Spencer Lewis. She was the fourth child, born in a family of nine siblings. At an early age, Gladys joined Oak Hill Baptist Church where she faithfully served as usher, missionary, secretary of the choir and chairperson of the Hospitality Committee. She and her sister Leola enjoyed singing with the choir at Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church, and visiting other churches.

Gladys was a graduate of Carter G. Woodson High School. After high school, she lived in Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Queens, NY. She was a woman of many talents and used them to make everyone’s day a little brighter. Her genuine and sincere character was shown through being a dynamic hostess in her home. Family looked forward to having her delicious “cold oven pound cake” in unique flavors. During the holidays, she would always ship a cake to her eldest brother. She held no secrets when it came to recipes and would readily share them with everyone. She cherished her many friends and cousins and loved chatting with them on the phone. Gladys had an unexpected sense of humor. Her children and grandchildren would find themselves laughing, hours later, as they remembered what she had said. No matter how much she loved her friends and family, everyone knew that her true love was a “good, hot” cup of McDonald’s coffee. In her opinion, it was the best! She often said that coffee was soothing for the soul and it gave a person “something to hold on to” as they reflect.

When it came to career choices, her early years were spent working at Pine Wall Nursing Home in New Jersey. This experience sparked her interest in the field of nursing and her focus on healthy living. She was also a licensed cosmetologist who studied at the Metropolitan School of Cosmetology in Washington, D.C. For many years after she graduated, she was an employee of the beauty school.

Gladys returned to Buckingham County in the 1970’s and was soon reacquainted with her high school sweetheart, Henry Dean. The two were married in 1975 and formed a blended family. In keeping with her love of nursing, she secured employment with Central Virginia Community Health Center and remained with the organization for over fifteen years. It was at the health center that she met some of her best, lifelong friends. She became a Certified Nurse Aide and completed the program with the highest average grade in her class. In the following thirteen years, she worked with Home Health, Inc. in New Canton, VA, before retiring in 1998. Because her job required her to travel to the homes of her patients, she took special pride in knowing almost every back road in the counties of Buckingham, Cumberland and Fluvanna. Just as Gladys thought she was ready to fully retire, she was drawn to one of the most rewarding positions of all as a substitute teacher for Buckingham County Public Schools.

Her husband, Henry H. Dean preceded her in death, as well as her devoted daughter, Gwendolyn Lewis Gregory. Gwen lovingly cared for her mother and made sure she never wanted for anything. Gladys was also predeceased by her parents, sister Leola Gillispie, brothers Benjamin, Jr. and Joe Lewis, nephew James E. Woodson, Jr. and great-granddaughter, Laila Elizabeth Butwin.

Loving memories of Gladys will remain, along with her legacy of love and compassion for family with: her devoted daughter, Cora “Kim” Peterson Tolliver; two sons-in-law, David M. Tolliver and Douglas E. Gregory; two cherished granddaughters, Desiree Gregory Butwin and Stanessa “Nessa” Harris Purnell; their husbands, Shane Butwin and Kevon Purnell. She was absolutely delighted to be “Granny” to her great-grandchildren, Logan Butwin, Hailey Butwin and Harris Purnell. Also left to mourn this heartfelt loss are: two step sons, Ronquillo Dean and C.I. Dean; three step-grandchildren, Cedric Gregory, Demonica Tolliver and Aleeia Booker; siblings, Grace McCollum, Loveleen Perkins (John), Mary Woodson (James, Sr.), Harold Lewis and William Lewis (Cecelia); sisters and brothers-in-law, Edna Lewis, Thelma Newman Brown (Wentworth), Carol Wilson and Wilbert Dean (Patricia). Her nieces and nephews will all feel the void left by “Aunt Gladys”, as well as her extended family and dear friends. Gladys lived a life of service to others and a commitment to her Lord and Savior.