Gladys Lefft Boone

Gladys Lefft Boone was born on July 24, 1930 to the late Joseph E. Lefft and Emily C. Lefft. She was born in St. Stephen, South Carolina. Preceding her in death were her brothers, Joseph D. Lefft and Oscar N. Lefft; brothers-in-law, Samuel Cooper, Jr. and John Addison; and her sisters, Betty L. Davis and Joyce B. Addison. 

Gladys  was educated in the primary schools of St. Stephen, SC where she was born and raised. She continued her education at Claflin College (now University) where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955. While attending Claflin, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Nu Chapter. 

Gladys (“Bee Bee) was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of her life, the late Reverend John D. Boone, Jr., who preceded her in death. They were wed on March 4, 1956. She could not believe they would end up sharing a life together after meeting on the back of a cousin's pickup truck. Hence the irony, a “pickup” truck. Gladys was a faithful and devoted wife. She would continue to support John as a pastor’s wife for some 43 years of their union. Our family would move from the low country to the upper state of South Carolina to support dad in ministry and in doing so, Gladys would make every house we ever lived in a home. 

Gladys was a sweet spirit with a pure servant's heart. Being a pastor’s wife was no easy feat, but she did it with grace, love, service and true purpose knowing it was for the Lord. Gladys would attend Bible study and Sunday school at each of the churches where John pastored. She often attended the United Methodist Women’s Retreats held at Lake Junaluska. 

Upon  graduating from college, entering into marriage and starting a family, Gladys began her teaching career. Throughout her career, mom taught mostly Social Studies, History and Home Economics. As children, when we were asked what our mom taught in school, we would respond “English”. The joke: mom corrected our use of the English language so much, we thought she was an English teacher. While working, caring for her family and supporting her husband, in 1985 Gladys earned her Master’s degree in Education from South Carolina State University. She taught school throughout South Carolina in the following counties: Anderson, Orangeburg, Dorchester and Berkeley. After 31 years of teaching and service to the community, Gladys retired.

A woman of God, Gladys enjoyed music, especially hymn singing. She joined her college choir while in undergrad, various choirs at churches where dad pastored and was a member of the Boone Singers. If mom was not listening to music, she was humming along while she baked or cooked. She was a devoted wife and loving mother not only to her five children, but she was also a mother figure to our cousins and our friends. She loved to bake and read through cookbooks for new ideas and recipes to try. Out of all the goodies she baked, hands down her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved her famous “Chewy Bread” or “Chewies”. Everything she baked and cooked was made with love. There was always enough food left over to share with anyone who stopped by whether unexpected or expected. She loved her husband and she loved her family. She always made sure to stay in contact with loved ones and friends through a phone call, handwritten letter or a greeting. She understood what it meant to be in a relationship with people, especially those she loved. 

Gladys leaves to cherish her memories: four sons, John D. Boone III (Carla) of Ladson, SC, Reginald K. Boone of Summerville, SC, Gregory R. Boone, Summerville, SC and Roger S. Boone (Ronnye) of Concord, NC; a daughter, Marcelle D. Kee (Wilkins) of Waxhaw, NC; grandchildren, Matthew D. Boone of Summerville, SC, Sydney E. Boone of Atlanta, GA, Carter B. Boone of Eugene, OR, Ashley N. Boone of Macon, GA, Christian L. Kee of Waxhaw, NC and Peyton A. Kee of Waxhaw, NC; one sister, Leila L. Cooper of Marion, IL; two sisters-in-law, Winifred Lefft of Orangeburg, SC and Shirley Coleman of Blythewood, SC; and a multitude of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, September 25, 2021, 10:00 a.m., at Mack-Zion Cemetery, Beulah Tabernacle Drive, St. Stephen, SC. Viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing. 

The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh