GLADYS RAMSEY Obituary

April 26, 1914 - December 9, 2012 THE VILLAGE Gladys O'Neill Smith Ramsey, 98, was born April 26, 1914 and died December 9, 2012, after a fall at home. Gladys' life was one of service to others and dedication to her family, church, and community. Gladys taught elementary school for 20 years, was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, and received numerous awards for her teaching. She instilled her own intellectual curiosity in her students and taught them life lessons as well as the "3Rs". Upon retirement, Gladys was a member of the Deaconess Hospital Auxiliary for 35 years, amassing more than 21,000 hours of volunteer service. She also tutored children in reading. She touched the lives of thousands of students and others and regularly received cards and visits from her pupils of past decades. Gladys lived a strong Christian life; was a charter member of the Village Baptist Church; taught Sunday School and ministered to members of her community who were home bound or in need of a friend. Her strong faith exhibited itself when she would assure friends and family "I've got my reservation made and my bags are packed". Her highest calling was as a mother to her sons, David and Steve and wife to her beloved Oliver whom she married in 1935. She supported and nurtured them with her love and unstinting encouragement. She was deeply involved in the lives of her 5 grandchildren (Doug, Chris, Sharon, Andrew, and Stuart) and 3 great grandchildren (Shelbie, Skye and Rowan). She was also a mentor, friend, and "second Mom" to the friends of her sons. She loved her daughters-in-law, Phyllis and Ann, and relished her time with them. Gladys O'Neill Smith was born in Reed, Greer County, Oklahoma in 1914 to James Newman and Ora Belle Smith and was the third eldest of eight children. She quickly became the COO of her family and its 160 acre farm as she helped her mother and father with chores, cooking, and working in the fields while whipping her brothers into shape. When she was 4, she walked two miles to borrow flour so she could make biscuits for the family all of whom had the 1918 influenza. At 15 she won the cotton picking championship of Greer County. She attended Centralview High School where she was Valedictorian in 1931 and was the first member of her family to go to college as a student at Oklahoma A&M. She vividly recalls The Depression and Dust Bowl and imparted those images and values to her children. After she married her high school sweetheart, Oliver Ramsey, in 1935. She followed him to Providence, Rhode Island when he joined the Navy in 1941. Following the birth of her sons and a bout with a rare form of cancer, she returned to college and obtained a teaching certificate, graduating from the University of Tulsa in 1955. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by family and friends or engaged in her hobbies which included cooking, quilting, gardening, reading poetry, attending theater and art shows, and collecting beautiful things. She loved her roses and "Billy Oak". Gladys is survived by her sons and their wives, children and grandchildren, a sister-in-law Dean Smith of Mangum and a brother-in-law Charles Wilson of Wellston, and numerous nieces and nephews who view her as if she were a parent. She was preceded in death by her husband Oliver, her parents and her siblings Floyd, Raymond, Elmer, Orville, Paul, Alton, and Joyce. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Visitation for family is at Demuth Funeral Home Dec. 13 from 4-6pm. Services will be at the Village Baptist Church @ 2pm December 14. For those wishing to make contributions in lieu of flowers, the family suggests the following organizations: Mercy Foundation/Mercy Hospice, 4300 W. Memorial Rd., OKC, OK 73120; Deaconess Auxiliary, 5501 N. Portland Ave., OKC, OK 73112.

Published by Oklahoman on Dec. 13, 2012.
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Gladys was a joy to know. She would call and I would deliver her Mary Kay products to her. We would visit at her kitchen table and before leaving I would pray. She was a very special one and I will miss her dearly. Each visit she would always say, "I am ready to go home, I don't know why He hasn't called me home, yet." I would always tell her that He just wasn't finished with her yet. Our last visit was November 14th.
There are those who cross our paths who truly impact our lives. Gladys is one I will always remember.
Linda Vaughan

February 13, 2013

Gladys was a such a delight and always had a smile on her face! I thoroughly enjoyed my visits with her. Her deep devotion to Christ was contagious to all she came in contact with! She will be missed here on earth but I know she was greeted in Heaven eagerly by her husband & family! Such a rare jewel she was!

Natalie

December 13, 2012

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