Gladys Lavonia (Byrdwell) Jasper

Gladys Levonia Byrdwell Jasper was born to the late Goree L., Sr. and Thelma Johnson Birdwell on June 12, 1934, in the Woodland Hills of Huntsville, Texas. She passed away March 7, 2025 at the age of 90.

Gladys was educated in the Huntsville Independent School District and graduated from Huntsville High School in 1953. Thereafter, she moved to Galveston, Texas with her sister, Vivian, and enrolled in Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) School. This was the seed of her career taking root. It was on the island city of Galveston that Gladys met a dashing young man by the name of Walter Ray Jasper. Love blossomed and they married on August 18, 1955, beginning a life’s journey of inseparable love.

While continuing her studies in this structured healthcare setting, Gladys completed the coursework and enrolled in Texas Southern University (HBCU) in Houston, TX. Following TSU, she returned to Galveston and enrolled in the St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. There she completed her studies to become a Registered Nurse in 1965.

In 1967, she moved to Austin as a result of her husband’s promotion with the Texas Employment Commission. Gladys took a position as a school nurse for Austin Independent School District until her retirement.

Walter knew there was a call on his life as a minister of the gospel and, in answering, their lives as Rev. Walter R. Jasper and Gladys already equally yoked in marriage became equally yoked in ministry. She was the consummate “preacher’s wife” and later “First Lady.”

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Goree L., Sr. and Thelma Johnson Birdwell; sisters, Espanola Hightower, Vivian Chambers, and Frankie Creeks; brothers, Goree Byrdwell Jr., Billy Byrdwell, and Vertis Byrdwell.

Surviving her are husband, Rev. Walter R. Jasper, Sr., son, Walter R. Jasper, Jr. and daughter Joselyn Denise Wade; sister Mary Byrdwell; Grandchildren: Erika Jasper, Natasha Wade, Erik Jasper, Keadra Benford, Breana Wade, and Kirsten Jasper; Great-grandchildren: Cameron Mack, Erik Jasper, Jr., Kierra Jasper, Jarius Mattox, Keshon Jasper, Kassadi Jefferies, Christian Mack, Elijah Jasper, Tristen Jasper, and Paizley Crittendon.