She was the widow of Doyle Edward Gladden, a retired elementary school teacher with 35 years of teaching experience and a member of Pauline Baptist Church. She was honored to receive a Distinguished Teacher Award from Drew Central Schools in 2008. She truly loved her students and talked about her teaching career with all. She was also a member of National Teacher Retirement, AR Teacher Retirement, Drew County Teacher Retirement and Northside Extension Club until her health prevented her involvement. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Marscille Wolfe Williams and Rachel Marie Wolfe Barnes; and a grandson, Tim Fort.
Survivors include two daughters, Dianne Gladden Fort and husband Bobby of Jonesboro and Janice Gladden Wiggam of Hot Springs Village; one sister, Ella Wolfe Helm of Monticello; five grandchildren, Jennifer Fort Dacus of Jonesboro and husband Max and Jeff Fort and wife Julie both of Jonesboro, Chris Wiggam and wife Teresa of Monticello, Mac Wiggam and wife Heather of Milford, DE and Contessa Wiggam McManus and husband Greg of Koskonong, MO; eleven great-grandchildren, Megan Dacus of Jonesboro, Max Timothy Dacus of Jonesboro, Ella Dacus of Jonesboro, Ashley fort of West Plains, MO, Whitney Wiggam of Monticello, Samantha Wiggam of Monticello, Devin Wiggam of Fredrica, DE, Alyssa Wiggam of Milford, DE, Colton Hollar of Koskonong, MO, John Michael Boone of Koskonong, MO; three step-great-grandchildren, Hannah Ponder of Jonesboro, Kirsten Brinkley and husband Mike of Ocala, FL, Cord McManus of Ocala, FL and step great-great grandchild, Peyton Brinkley of Ocala, FL; four nephews, Mark Barnes and wife Sharon of Naples, FL, Roger Barnes of Little Rock, Phil Gladden and wife Kathy of Hot Springs and John Dufour and wife Tina of Amite, LA; and two nieces, Mary Clampit and husband Jerry of Monticello and Peggy Robnet of Stuttgart; one nephew Warner Williams and his wife Sundra.
The family would like to issue a special thank you to Dr. Jeff Reinhart and Drew Memorial Hospital Home Health.
Funeral service will be 3:00 P.M. Thursday, August 6 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel with burial in Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service Thursday from 1:00-3:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to: Monticello Senior Citizens Center, 203 Henley, Monticello, AR 71655 or Pauline Missionary Baptist Church, PO Box 299, Monticello, AR 71657. Arrangements by Stephenson-Dearman. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(24)
Eulea Knowles Kiraly
Monticello, AR Wednesday, June 17, 2020 I'm one of the hundreds of 5th graders who got a glimpse of the wider world in Mrs. Gladden's classroom. My condolences to her family. I hope you find comfort in the legacy of her long, rich, and service-filled life.Mark Cater
Monticello, AR Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Miss Gladden was one the most beloved elementary teachers. Very find memories of her....Belinda Akin
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Mrs. Gladden is the reason I became a teacher. I wanted to grow up and be just like her. Now there's a true legacy.Ray & Robbie(Ellis) Foster
Lansdowne, VA Saturday, August 15, 2015 Was very sorry to here of the passing of Claudie. I have many fond memories of her and family growing up in Monticello. Prayers and thoughts are with all the family.Doug McCarty
Nashville, TN Monday, August 10, 2015 I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Gladden. I feel very fortunate to have been one of her many students at Drew Central.Mrs. Gladden was one of my favorite teachers and she will always hold a special place in my heart.
My sincere condolences,
Doug McCarty
Mike Robnett
Stuttgart, AR Saturday, August 8, 2015 I did not get the news until yesterday about aunt Claudie passing. Our prayers and love are with you all. It has been a long time since I have seen her but remember her well. May God bless you all. Peggy, Mike, Mark and Lori Robnett.Jennifer Gavin
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 8, 2015 Janice, I'm so sorry about your Mom, she was a really sweet lady. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Lots of love.........JenniferJanis Wilson Jones
rogers, AR Thursday, August 6, 2015 She was an outstanding teacher. She touched many lives , with her positive outlook. She will be missed. Prayers for her family and friends going up.Judy Selig
Benton, AR Thursday, August 6, 2015 Janice, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet mother. She was such a special lady that I will always remember as being a mentor to me when I began my teaching career.Heaven has gained another angel.Judy Selig
Edward Tucker
Pine Bluff, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Mrs Gladden was the very best Teacher that I had at Drew Central. On more than one occasion, she protected me from Mrs Haisty. I really did love her.,,, Eddielinda funderburg
monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 my condolence to the gladden familyKathleen Crain
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 I remember your sweet mom so fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish I could be there tomorrow. Love, KathleenJames and Kathy Bates Berry
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Dianne and JaniceSo sorry for your loss. Dianne I always enjoyed visiting in your home when we were teenagers.
Love and prayers for you and your family at this sad time.
Kathy
Barbara Burks McElroy
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Mrs. Gladden was my fifth grade teacher. She was always so patient with us. I truly loved her as my teacherFamily, my thpughts and prayers are with you
Letty Bailey Burton
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Mrs.Gladden was my fifth grade teacher too....about a hundred years ago...she taught 4th and 5th in the same room that year...She was always so sweet and kind ....I became a teacher too and hope I can be remembered as half the teacher she was. She was a blessing to so many of us. Rest in Peace dear sweet lady.Gloria Hensley
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Mrs. Gladden was my 5th grade teacher and one of my favorites. She was always so kind and made learning fun. Every time I saw her in Walmart over the years she would always tell me to make sure I spoke to her and told her who I was. She said she had so many kids and they were all grown up now that she didn't want to miss getting to see them all grown up. What a special lady. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.Laura Lee Dearman
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 5, 2015 Janice, I am so sorry about your Mom. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family. She was such a sweet person and it was nice being "neighbors" with her for so many years.Sharon & Mark Barnes
Naples, FL Wednesday, August 5, 2015 As the family gathers tomorrow to honor the grand life of our beloved Aunt Claudie Gladden, I am reminded of the proud, distinguished and stately lady she was. Forever gracious and thoughtful and intelligent, and she will be greatly missed by all family and friends who knew her. She took Mark into her home and helped raise him when he had no mother. Our hearts are forever greatful. Rest in Peace, Sweet Aunt Claudie. Heaven has received a truly Royal Angel. God bless.Carole Rushing
Woodlawn, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Janice, you are always so faithful to lift others up in their time of sorrow. My sincere prayer is that the Lord will hold you close and give you strength, peace and comfort at a time that only someone who has experienced it can understand. Please accept my sincere sympathy on your great loss. May the Lord Bless you and make you to feel His love and presence in your life.Carole Rushing
BOBBY PRITCHARD
, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF THE FAMILY. A VERY SWEET AND CARING LADY AND WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS PART OF MY FAMILY,AS MY AUNT IDA MAE GLADDEN PRITCHARD WAS HER SISTER IN LAW.Glenda Andrews
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Mrs. Gladden was my 5th grade teacher; there are so many memories of that special year. She read a library book to us and each day we could hardly wait for reading time. She was always so kind, so sweet. I will never forget her.My deepest sympathy to her family, I know you must have so many of these same memories in your hearts.
Mary W.Clampit
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 I always feel, ''It's always Too Soon and Never Easy".... she was My Mom's older Sister........Sometimes things are for the best when you've gotten to live 95 3/4.yrs.....Our hearts are heavy but know she's had anamazing life.....But still no one is ready to let go.....
SUSIE CHADWICK
WILMAR, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME.Kay Malan
Wilmar, AR Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Ms. Gladden was my elementary school teacher. That was a long time ago but I remember her fondly.God bless you, family