Thomas Buel Gladney Sr.

The Rev. Thomas Buel Gladney Sr. departed from his earthly home for his heavenly home Thursday Sept. 15,2011. His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Isom's Chapel U.M. Church with Bobby Lambert and Eddie Gooch officiating. He will lie in state at the church from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at McConnell Funeral Home.

Buel was born March 2, 1927, in Lauderdale County to Joe Gladney and Bersie Hulsey Gladney. He was the youngest of six children — two girls and four sons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and three brothers.

Daddy went to school at West Limestone before going into the Navy on March 22, 1944, and served until June 1946. Daddy shipped out of Norfolk, Va. on a ship called the Imperial. He went to New Guinea then Australia and the Philippines. He came back to Los Angeles, Calif., and then to sweet home Alabama. After returning from service, he graduated from high school at Athens High School. Daddy married Bessie Sutton on Jan. 9, 1948. They had three children: Patsy, Joyce and Tommy.

Daddy worked for the L&N Railroad as an operator and clerk. He was also manager of the Spur Service Station in Athens. Daddy was then called to preach the gospel to a needy world. He continued his education at Athens College and then went to Emory University in Atlanta where he received his Master of Divinity degree. As a United Methodist minister, Buel served 33 years in North Alabama Conference. He pastured 16 churches, retiring from active ministry in June 1992.

In retirement, Buel served two other churches for five years, after which he permanently retired. Buel and Bet returned to worship at Isom's Chapel United Methodist Church where he had previously served for five years.

Brother Gladney is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bet; three children, Patsy and her husband Gary Bridges, Joyce and her husband Terry Willis, and Thomas Buel Gladney Jr. and his wife, Rebecca; grandchildren, Kate and Erin Gladney, Tanya and her husband Brad Young; great-grandchildren, Eddie, Abby, and Carter Young; nieces and nephews; and a host of wonderful, dear friends.

Pallbearers are Buck “Billy” Sutton, Bonnie Sutton, Frank Gray, Buford Gladney Jr., Lavaughn Gladney and Dave Wood.

Honorary pallbearers are Bob Fenton, John Holland, Gilbert Lambert, J. C. Prater, Bobby Hudson and Jerry Stone.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Limestone County.