Gladys Lee Sides

She was born on March 28, 1908, in Knox County, Texas to Ben Bounds Bates and Ada Mearle Wilson Bates.

She was the oldest of eleven children; 9 bothers and 1 sister. As a child, she remembered riding a horse to school and riding in a covered wagon with her family.

Her parents and 8 brothers, Coy, Earl, Lois, Floyd, Jr. Dean, Frank, Leon and sister Baby Nelle preceded her in death. She is survived by one brother, Wayne Witt Bates of Centreville, VA.

Gladys was a schoolteacher for 10 years and a Civil Service Employee for 22 years. She and her husband, David W. Sides raised a family of 4 in San Antonio, Texas where they lived for 30 years.

She and David also enjoyed living in the Philippines for a few years. David, her husband of 64 years preceded her in death in 1992. They were members of the First Baptist Church of Marble Falls, Texas.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Joan McCook and her husband, Pete of Lakeway, TX; sons, David L. Sides and wife, Carolyn of Midlothian, TX, William B. Sides and wife, Barbara of Austin, TX; a daughter, Betty Hefner and husband, Wayne of Marble Falls, TX.

Gladys had a deep love for her relatives and was a positive Christian influence on all.

In addition to her children, Mama Gladys leaves 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren. We were blessed to have her presence in our lives. Gladys died, as she wished, at her daughter Betty's residence in Marble Falls, Texas.

The family is especially grateful to Seton Hospice for their compassionate care of Gladys.