Gladys` Andrews Graham

Gladys` Graham Obituary
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that Feareth the Lord shall be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her own works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31: 30-31)
The year, 1919, was a world-shaking year. America was recovering from World War I and black soldiers returned to racism so violent that the summer would become known as the Red Summer. It faced economic. social and racial changes as it made the change from the politics of WWI--Woodrow Wilson was then President of the United States; African Americans began the first wave of the Great Migration from the South to the North in search of a better life for themselves and their families; the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified; race riots took place in Charleston, SC, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Chicago; Jackie Robinson and Nat King Cole were born; and the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was passed. It was also the year Gladys Andrews Graham was born.
Gladys was the oldest child of eleven children born to Johnnie Andrews and Sallie Dozier on September 24, 1919, in Saluda, SC. She and her sisters and brothers were raised in a God-fearing home with parents who laid a firm foundation of faith in God and love that would carry them throughout their life's journey. The life's lessons they were taught included putting God first, caring and loving one another, working hard, and conducting their lives with integrity. Gladys accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined Rock Hill Baptist Church in Saluda at the age of 12.
At time when state support for educating African American children in SC was woefully inadequate, Gladys completed the first and second grades in the Red Hill School and completed grades 3, 4, and 5 in the Rosenwald School in Saluda. It is difficult to imagine he hardships Gladys and her siblings must have endured growing up in the rural south during the Depression. They would often earn money by picking cotton during the summer months to purchase needed items and school supplies for the upcoming school year. She often told her children the story about how she and her siblings were cheated out of their pay at the end of a particular day. When it was time for the cotton farmer to pay them, he was nowhere to be found.
Gladys' high school years were completed during the 30s in the midst of the Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. In spite of these economic conditions, Gladys completed grades 6 thru 12 at Bettis Academy and Junior College, a historic boarding school for African American students established in 1881 in Trenton, SC. In order to pay for their children's tuition, families donated food items once a month. While at Bettis Academy, Gladys selected academic courses, excelled in math and graduated at the age of 17 in 1936.
During the summer months of 1936, she worked as a teacher aide at the Red Hill School teaching math, but before school began in the fall, she made the decision to leave SC seeking refuge from the laws that oppressed the spirit and body of African Americans in the South and moved to Washington. DC where she lived with her uncle and aunt. She soon found employment during the day as a nanny and enrolled in night school classes that prepared her for better jobs. Upon completion of night school, she obtained a job in a childcare center and later she sought a civil service job and sat for and passed the Civil Service Test. Six years and four months later, Gladys married the late Henry Dunbar Graham. He found employment at the Alan Wood Steel Company in Conshohocken, PA and with the assistance of friends and relatives moved his bride into a house located in the small community of Connaughton.
After much hard work and the Lord's blessings, they were able to purchase a home on Washington Street. They were blessed with four children and raised them to value an education and to be God-fearing, productive individuals. Henry and Gladys set a standard of excellence in education. They were very active in their children's education and as a result, their children were educated extensively, were members of St. Paul's Baptist Church, and later assumed careers in architectural engineering, accounting, health care and education.
While Henry was employed at Alan Wood Steel Company, Gladys remained in the home until deciding to enroll in a Practical Nursing Licensure Program. Upon completion, she was employed at the Norristown State Hospital where she remained until she retired in 1979. When Henry retired, they moved back to Saluda to appreciate the legacy that was inherited through her parents and grandparents. As an active member in the Saluda County community, Gladys attended Rock Hill Baptist Church where she served as a member of the Senior Choir, a member of the Pastor's Aid Ministry, a member of the Missionary Ministry, the Church School Teacher for the Intermediate Group, and Secretary for both Rock Hill and Mine Creek Church Burial Aid Societies. She petitioned the Saluda County Council for the construction of a paved road which not only led to her residence, but to the residences of her relatives. She became the first female in the family to have a country road named after her-----Gladys Lane. Gladys did not shirk her civic responsibilities either. She knew how important it was to exercise her right to vote and volunteered to work at the polls. She received several gold medals when she participated in the frisbee and golf tournaments that were sponsored by the Upper Savannah Senior Sports Classic.
Throughout her lifetime, Gladys witnessed several significant, historical events (Jim Crow, World War II, the Korean Conflict, integration of the Armed Services, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the tragic events of September 11, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). She has witnessed the transition from buggies to automobiles, jet planes, spaceships and satellites, computers, smartphones and I-pads to the election of this country's first African American President, Barack Obama in 2008.
God-fearing, loving, beautiful, prayer-warrior, matriarch, honest, courageous, trusting, respected, nurturing, provider, charitable, industrious, hospitable, intelligent and wise are words that describe our beloved Gladys Andrews Graham. She lived a long and fruitful life and left an indelible legacy of faith, family, character, and love. She never accepted foolishness, weak morals, popular culture, and always emphasized these virtues to her family and friends.
God in his infinite wisdom called our beloved Gladys home on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. She was preceded by her husband, Henry Dunbar Graham; grandson (Rahman Graham); mother (Sallie Dozier Andrews), father (Johnnie Andrews); six sisters (Seabell, Minnie Camilla, Gertrude, Orabell, Kathleen, and Betty Jean); and three brothers (John Jr., Willie James, and Raymond). She leaves to rejoice in her memory four children (Dr. S. Jean Wilson of Chester, PA; Frank Graham (Bernadette) of Los Angeles, CA, Rabbani Muhammad (Jean), and Diann Cook (Melvin) of Columbia, SC; a sister, Mary E. Andrews of Saluda, SC; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; eight nieces; six nephews; and a host of cousins and friends.
A Celebration of life will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Rock Hill Baptist Church with burial in Lockhart Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be no viewing.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Fl 17, Chicago, Ill 60601.
As the family goes through their hour of bereavement, please include them family in your prayers.
Butler and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the Graham Family.
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