Isom G. Gladden Jr.

Mr. Isom Gilbert Gladden, Jr., "Gil," 83, of 1210 Wellington Road, Colonial Heights, departed this life on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1928, to the late Rev. Isom G. Gladden Sr. and Elise Harris Gladden.

Gil was a graduate of the George P. Phoenix High School in Hampton and in 1948 graduated from Virginia Union University as a pre-med student earning a B.S. degree in Biology.

His career began in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1948 with the federal government as a physical science assistant at the Defense Supply Depot, an independent sales representative for several business enterprises in the area, and a marketing representative for the Atlantic Richfield Corp. for several years. Upon moving to Plainfield, N.J., he became a self-employed public accountant and Realtor until his retirement in 1993.

In 1978, Gil was elected to the Plainfield Board of Education. He also served as Board Member of the United Plainfield Housing Corporation and Board Member of the Plainfield Chapter of NAACP.

Gil has been an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for over 60 years and in 2005 was selected as "Omega Man of The Year," by the Omicron Chi Chapter in Plainfield, N.J. He has served as Basileus and Vice Basileus of the Mu Omega Chapter, Philadelphia, Pa., and chair of the Reclamation Committee in the Omicron Chi Chapter. Most recently, he was a member of the Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Petersburg.

In 2007, Gil and his wife moved to Colonial Heights and became members of Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg.

He was preceded in death by a son, Isom G. Gladden III; and his sisters, Yvonne Elliott and Claudine Jones.

Surviving are: his devoted wife, Mary S, Gladden; a daughter, Aleta Alsop; sisters, Gwendolyn G. Simmons (Paul) and Ione G. Willis-Hancock; sisters-in-law, Barbara Collins and Sharon Smither; brothers-in-law, Robert Elliott, Judge Paul A. Simmons, William D. Smither and Sherman E. Collins; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends. A special thanks to the Rev. Andrew J. White and the Zion Baptist Church Family and also the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Memorial services will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Chapel of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg, with the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity honoring Mr. Gladden followed by the Rev. Andrew White, pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Petersburg, eulogizing. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. prior to the services at 7 p.m. at the chapel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of William N. Bland & Son Funeral Home, Petersburg. Online condolences may be left at www.blandenterprisesinc.com.