Gladys Louise Smith, age 84, of Mexico went to be with Jesus on Saturday, December 14th, 2024.

A service will be held on Saturday, December 21st at 11:30am at Southside Christian Church with Chris Harley officiating.  Visitation will be at Southside Christian Church from 9:30am until the time of service.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vandalia, MO   Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association or Southside Christian Church of Mexico, MO.

Gladys was born January 26th, 1940, in a snowstorm just outside Mexico Missouri, the daughter of Wilbur and Della Mae Pullen.  Gladys was a graduate of Mexico High School and received college degrees from Hannibal LaGrange College and Oklahoma Baptist University.

Throughout Glady's career she was a schoolteacher in Chicago and a one room schoolhouse (formerly Bott's School) in rural Missouri, co-owner of a gift shop, retail manager, and had a long career as a social worker.  Gladys also worked as the church secretary at Southside Christian Church until her retirement.   Gladys loved to play the piano and sing, she also enjoyed painting.  Gladys loved doing crafts and working in her garden.  Gladys enjoyed helping people.  Her faith in God was very real to her and she shared that faith with others. Gladys spent many years between the First Baptist Church and Southside sharing her love of God through being a Sunday school teacher to countless children.  Gladys also volunteered many hours through her lifetime giving back to many different organizations in the community.  She enjoyed going to St Louis Cardinals baseball games. Gladys loved music. She often had a cat and a book in her lap.  She wanted a big house and six kids and she got it.

Gladys was a preacher's wife to Stan Fretwell for 10 years and thrived at all the churches they were part of.  During their marriage they were blessed with children; Sarah Beth Fretwell and Joshua Fretwell.  Gladys lost two children at birth, daughter Elizabeth Dawn and son Benjamin.

In 1977, Gladys married Fred W. Smith and joined their two families.  They enjoyed 47 wonderful years of marriage. They were blessed with a son, Scott Smith.  Their marriage included countless hours of giving back to their church or continuously making their house a home, a never-ending project.  Their kitchen counter was always open to anyone who needed a cup of coffee, a hug, or a good laugh. Their blended family endured several ups and downs encompassing the motto of love matters more than blood.

Gladys is survived by her husband Fred Smith, children Billy (Melonie) Smith, Bonnie (Brian) Hertel, Glenn (Laura) Smith,  Sarah Beth Fretwell, Joshua (Jay) Fretwell, Scott Smith, Nicole King (close family friend), and grandma to Lacey (Jason) Henry, Kourtney (Phil) Arrowsmith, Trey Troxell, Craig (Nessa) Troxell, Crystal Troxell, Katie (Ryan) Bode, Christa (Michael) Sloginski, Chloe Smith and great grandma to Madyson Klostermann, Kendyl Klostermann, Helena Henry, and Stephanie Rose Sloginski; cousins Sherry (Joe) Smith and Tony (Theresa) Blevins and niece Melissa Pullen. She is also further survived by brother Darrell Pullen, sister-in-law Reta Pritchett (Smith), as well as other relatives and friends.

Gladys was proceeded in death by her parents Wilbur and Della Mae Pullen, her brother Larry Ray, cousins Altamay and Tom Blevins, daughter Elizabeth Dawn, son Benjamin and granddaughter Brianne Klostermann.

Well done thy good and faithful servant; God only takes the best.