Frances Marie Crawley Gladden

Mrs. Gladden was born in Burke County, North Carolina on October 8, 1939 to the late Avery A. & Hattie Mae Rudisill Crawley. She was a graduate of Salem High School and was married to her husband of 34 years, Billy Ray Gladden. She retired from West Carolina Center, where she was a development technician and caregiver. Mrs. Gladden was a faithful member of East Valdese Baptist Church. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, knitting, crocheting, collecting cookie jars, porcelain dolls and angels. She also loved to cook and spend her free time at Wal-Mart. She was loved by many friends and church members and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Gladden was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Sue Clark; a brother Winfred Crawley; and a step daughter, Patricia Craig.

Survivors include her husband, Billy Ray Gladden of Valdese; five step daughters, Kimberly Bolick and husband David of Valdese; Brenda Piercy and husband Richard of Morganton; Carolyn Causby of Morganton; Phyllis Causby of Drexel; and Faye Forbes of Columbia, South Carolina; three step sons, Jeff Gladden and wife Jamie, Kenneth Causby, and Melvin Causby, all of Morganton; 21 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; a niece, Shirley Simmons of Morganton; special friends, Doris McMahan of Austin, Texas and Clara Vaughn of Morganton; and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2014 at East Valdese Baptist Church with Pastor Brett Howell officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mem.com. Valdese Family Funeral Care and Perfect Peace Cremations has the honor of serving the Gladden family.