Gladys Lucille Naugle

Gladys Lucille Naugle, 86, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 3:28 p.m. She had joyfully celebrated her 86th birthday just four days earlier, surrounded by family and friends. Born November 8, 1939, in Kansas City, Kansas, she was the beloved wife of Willis Milton Naugle, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage after wedding on December 7, 1957. Together they built a life full of love, dedication, and unwavering devotion to their growing family.

Gladys is survived by her children: Lisa Jean Naugle-Schmidt (Nelson) of Kansas City, Kansas; Diana Kay Wollman (Frank) of Merriam Woods, Missouri; Rodger Wade Naugle (Karen) of Blue Springs, Missouri; Anthony Russell Naugle of Kansas City, Kansas; and Pamela Sue (Naugle) Gooch (Gary) of Billings, Missouri.

Gladys leaves behind a large and treasured legacy of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandsons: Sharona Lynn Blake (Sam) of Panama City, Florida; Christen Renae Segal (Joel) of Panama City Beach, Florida, and great-grandson Morris; Diann Nicole Pullen (Jacob) of Kansas City, Missouri; Joshua Brian Rushing (Holly) of Hume, Missouri, and great-grandchildren Addisen and Rhyder; Frankie Leigh Sawyer (Clint) of Kirbyville, Missouri, and great-granddaughter Elianna; Jacob Keith Rushing (Miriam) of Atwater, California, and great-grandchildren Elliott, Mason, Maverick, and Scarlette; Traci Rene Naugle of Blue Springs, Missouri, and great-grandchildren Kraig and Nicholas; Julie Ann Wright (Jeremy) of Sugar Creek, Missouri, and great-granddaughter Mariah Neeley (Matthew), great-great grandsons Brantley and Wesley, and great-granddaughter Makayla; Matthew Allen Gooch of Springfield, Missouri, and great-grandsons Carsen and Willy; Brittney Rae Schmidt of Kansas City, Kansas, and great-grandson Brysen; Bradley Wade Naugle (Isabella) of Independence, Missouri, and great-grandchildren Lucas and Layla; Hayley Alizabeth Wilkinson (Alec) of Saint Hedwig, Texas, and great-grandsons Cayde, Atlas, and newborn Emery, born November 10, 2025; Saleena Alexis Harter (Nick) of Marionville, Missouri, and great-granddaughters Kinsley, Reagan, and EmmaLou; Dylan Tyler Naugle (Kelsey) of Knoxville, Tennessee; Jared Allen Naugle (Traci) of Augusta, Georgia; and Brianna Rochelle Naugle of Kansas City, Kansas, of the home. Special mention also goes to Christopher Landon and children, Desirae (Cox) Wirthlin (Jim), and Dominic Cox, all of whom held a meaningful place in Gladys’s life.

Gladys was known by many affectionate names throughout her life, including Mom, Aunt Pudgy, Sister Pudgy, Aunt Gladys, Grandma Naugle, and MaMa Naugle. She was preceded in death by two children, Alan Leroy Redell on July 7, 1959, and Kelly Ann Naugle on September 13, 2020; by her parents, John Wesley Sanford and Eula Gladys (Daughtery) Sanford-Sims; and by siblings John Wesley “Sonny Boy” Sanford, Norabelle Huckaby, Reece Leroy Sanford, Clarence Edward Sanford, Donna Jean O’Brien, Cora Esther Foster, Wesley Washington Sanford, Rose Mary Post, and half-brother James Dewayne Sims. She is survived by her half-brother Gary Howard Sims of St. Joseph, Missouri, along with many nieces and nephews.

When Gladys married Willis, she embraced the life of a military wife. They moved every three years as he served 20 years in the United States Army, and she fondly referred to her children as her “hello and goodbye babies” as the family grew with each new assignment. Before marriage, she worked at Sunshine Biscuit for two years, and afterward dedicated herself to raising her growing family. She sewed play clothes for her children to help with finances and worked as post nursery personnel while the family lived in Mannheim, Germany. She also served as a Girl Scout cookie coordinator during their time at Fort Gordon, Georgia, often keeping a close eye on Pam, who had a habit of opening the cookie boxes.

After settling in Kansas City, Gladys worked various jobs, including painting apartments and cleaning office buildings. Following Willis’s retirement from the Army, she became a cook at Golden Age Lodge and later worked as a cook for the Turner School District. Known for her exceptional cooking, she supervised the meal planning for the Wyandotte Tabernacle Winter Fest for three years. Gladys was always willing to help wherever she was needed, often stepping in without hesitation.

Her heart was immense and open to all. She and Willis welcomed many into their home, including nieces and nephews, her mother, and a family friend who needed temporary care. They also took in their great niece and great nephew, LaTisha and Gary, when LaTisha was 18 months old and Gary was just 5 months old. Gladys and Willis became the only parents the children knew during much of their early lives; Gary stayed until age 15, and LaTisha remained in the home until her marriage.

Gladys and Willis began attending Wyandotte Tabernacle in Kansas City, Kansas in September 1975, where they remained faithful and active members for 50 years. Gladys was known as “Grandma Naugle” to countless children who grew up within the church. Although illness prevented her from attending in the last year of her life, her heart remained deeply connected to her church family. She was also a lifetime member of VFW Post 111 since 1978 and a dedicated supporter of the Special Olympics for many years.

Gladys will be remembered with love for her selflessness, her compassion, her immense devotion to family (both immediate and extended), her church family, and her many friends. Her heart was a gift to all who knew her, and her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched. Her family expresses deep gratitude for the many happy memories she created, memories that will bring comfort and warmth each time she is remembered. God blessed her with a big heart, and she used it fully, generously, and beautifully.

Visitation will be held at Wyandotte Tabernacle Church, located at 5301 Metropolitan Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas, on November 21, 2025, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.The funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm.

Gladys Lucille Naugle will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Valor, Row D, Lot 110, Space 4, located at 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas.