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Isom Gladden Obituary

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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Progress-Index from Mar. 25 to Mar. 27, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Isom Gladden

Not sure what to say?





James Mock

March 19, 2022

He was a total inspiration to all who had the opportunity to meet him.

Audrey Counts

April 8, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. I'm sending you a hug from afar.

Beverly King

April 6, 2011

Mary, we were saddened to hear of Gil's passing and send our deepest condolences to you and your family. Your former Field Ave. neighbors, Beverly and son, Alex

April 5, 2011

Dear Mary,

Gavin and I want to send you our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Gil was an important part of our community and really a wonderful neighbor. May you find peace at this difficult time.

Pat & Gavin Cooper Plainfield, New Jersey

April 4, 2011

Sorry to hear about the passing of Gilbert and his son. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Our family ties go way back to I.G. and Elsie and C.P. and Velma.Many pleasant memories come to mind. May God grant each of you strength and comfort as you go through these difficult days.
Elaine Morris Ragland, 2709 Kirkstone Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27107

Clareace Lane

April 2, 2011

Dear Mrs. Gladden
Please allow me to express my deepest condolence to you and your family on the passing of Mr. Gladden. His presence always brought a smile to my being. May your spirits be lifted in the knowledge that Mr. Gladden will be always be remembered by me when the music plays.

James & Barbara Plummer

April 1, 2011

Mrs. Gladden, we extend our deepest condolences to the family. Our hearts are saddened, but our spirits are lifted by the many fond memories of Mr. Gladden.

Dyshera Anderson

April 1, 2011

Mrs. Gladden,

Sorry to hear about your husband's passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. All his efforts as well as your's will always be remembered and appreciated. Zaid & Dyshera Anderson

Martin Cox

April 1, 2011

Mrs. Gladden the entire Cox Family would like to extent our condolences on the loss of Mr. Gladden. The both of you served Plainfield in so many ways. I recalled the last conversation the I had with Mr. Gladden and even then he was telling me how to improve the Plainfield Schools. Some may find this note to be very formal. But is that Touch of Class that you and Mr. Gladden put in thousands of Plainfielder's especially the young during your time here. May God begin the Process of Healing your Heart!

Peace & Blessings, Martin P. Cox & Family

Jo-Ann & Ken Bandomer

April 1, 2011

How sad to hear of Gil's passing, we think of you both often as we reflect on the good old days of Planfield when you both worked so tirelessly to do what was not easy or popular, but what was in the best interests of the children. I know that phrase gets thrown around a lot, but you two as a couple did that over and over, it was ALWAYS about Plainfield and the education of her students. So many adults are better people because of you and Gil. Our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. He left the world a better place for having been here.

Dan Damon

April 1, 2011

Mary, I am so sorry to learn of Gil's passing. I wrote up a little piece for Plainfield folks today and hope you will get some notes from people.

See it here --
http://ptoday.blogspot.com/2011/04/gil-gladden-activist-and-former-board.html

Dan Damon

Joe & Dottie Gutenkauf

April 1, 2011

Mary, our deepest condolences to you and your family in this difficult time. Plainfield has missed Gil's attentiveness and willingness to speak up and serve. Please, take care of yourself--your community needs you!

April 1, 2011

Dear Mrs. Gladden,

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your dear husband.
Both of you worked tirelessly for the betterment of Plainfield and have left an indelible mark on this city. Your Gil will be fondly remembered by many of us still living here. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

With sincere condolences, Brenda Anderson

Carol Davis

April 1, 2011

Mary, I am so saddened by this news. My thoughts are with you. May you be comforted by those that love you.

James Mock

March 30, 2011

Gil, I have always been impressed by your uplifting and straight foward attitude. You have left many of us with great memories and pleasant thoughts. You will be missed but never forgotten. Say hello to all the brothers in Omega Chapter and take your rightful place along side the Best of the Best.

William Kirby

March 30, 2011

Mr Gladden was a very positive person in my life as scout leader. He helped me become a man, he will be miseed god bless

Bruce Johnson

March 30, 2011

"The difficult we'll do immediately, the impossible will take a little longer." This is one of the things Mr. Gladden taught us in Troop 16 that sticks with me to this day. In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Bruce Johnson

March 30, 2011

"The difficult we'll do immediately

March 30, 2011

"The difficult we'll do immediately

William E. James Jr

March 29, 2011

Me Gladden was a good and positive person. I and many others new him when he was scoutmaster of troop 16. at White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Mr.Gaadden will be missed.

Richard J. Lawton

March 29, 2011

Gil Gladden was a positive influence on me and many young men when he served as Scoutmaster to Troop 16, White rock Baptist Church of West Philadelphia. I had no idea at the time that he was, by example, teaching us the principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perserverance and Uplift. Those principles became oh so clear when Gil, and my father inducted me into our great fraternity - Omega Psi Phi, Inc.

Richard J. Lawton

March 29, 2011

Gil Gladden was a positive influence on me and many young men when he served as Scoutmaster to Troop 16, White rock Baptist Church of West Philadelphia. I had no idea at the time that he was, by example, teaching us the principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perserverance and Uplift. Those principles became oh so clear when Gil, and my father inducted me into our great fraternity - Omega Psi Phi, Inc. - Richard J. Lawton

Howard James

March 28, 2011

Dear Mary, it is with deapest sympathy that Karen and I express our condolences to you and your family. We will keep you in prayer during this difficult time. I truly have been blessed to have been a friend and Omega Psi Phi brother of Gil's; what a great experience while he was actively involved with Mu Omega Chapter here in Philly. May he rest in peace. Howard (Porky) James.

Dave & Judy Benson

March 28, 2011

To Mary and the Gladden family. We are very saddened in the loss of Gil. He was our role model and the template for all aspiring and current Omega brothers. Gil kept order in the meetings and provided plenty of levity when he would "Rise to a point of order". Gil was blessed to have you in his life because you gave him the best of all worlds. God Bless

March 25, 2011

We would like to send our sincere condolences Mrs. Gladden and the family. The Employees of Master Transmissions

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