Gladys Paradowski

Gladys Paradowski was born in Houston, TX on April 30,1929 as Gladys Marshall. She went to join the Lord on July 31, 2025 at the age of 96. She is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Elwood H. Paradowski. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn K. Nowlin, son Kenneth B. Paradowski, grandson and wife Bryan and Angela Huie and great grandchildren Lillian and Ethan Huie.
Gladys graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston, TX in 1945. She originally attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene TX. Later, she transferred to Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, TX, now Sam Houston State University, where she graduated with a business degree and received a teachers certificate as well.
Gladys married Elwood on Friday August 8,1952. She is being interred on Friday, August 8, 2025. May they reunite in Heaven.
Gladys never worked outside the home, but she contributed beyond being a housewife and mother. Gladys loved contesting and was very good at it - writing last lines, jingles, naming things. She named the Excalibur in Las Vegas. She won numerous prizes over the years, including TV's, trips, cars, cash, a van full of Certs (breath mints) and even Elwood's weight in groceries. She provided the family with things they might not have had otherwise. Had she been born to a later generation, she would have been a great copywriter in advertising.
Gladys was creative and industrious in other ways. She painted her entry hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms and master bedroom - all with a two inch brush. She created Christmas ornaments and banners out of felt, sequins and other materials, crocheted doilies, beaded calendars and decorated her daughter's dance costumes. She sewed everything by hand and her stitches were tighter than any sewing machine.
When her Grandson, Bryan, was in first grade, Gladys worked to create a Tiger Club group of Boy Scouts, the youngest layer of Boy Scouts at that time. She and Elwood worked with Scouts until Bryan earned the rank of Eagle Scout in High School, and they loved every minute of it.
Gladys loved flowers and spent hours working in her flower beds. Neighbors would often compliment her yard. As hard as she tried to get rid of the weeds, they always came back. She would say "the weeds will always win".
Gladys had a strong belief in God, her preferred faith Baptist. She never varied from her beliefs and tried to instill a love of God in her children.
She will be missed. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gladys, please visit our Tree Store.