Cherry Parris Gladden

Cherry Parris Gladden, age 79 of Cartersville, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026. She was the third of five daughters born to the late Henry Bee Parris, Jr. and Eva Wofford Shouse Parris. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Gladden and her sister, Linda Parris Benton.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Parris Hopkins (Collin Neighbors), grandchildren, Stephen Hopkins of Cartersville and Hadley Hopkins of New York City, her sisters, Jane Parris Sanderson of Brentwood, TN, Martha Parris Wellsandt of Cartersville and Mona Parris Lewis (Button) of Cartersville.

Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Jerry Benton, nieces and nephews, Dean Benton and his wife, Teri and their daughter, Holly; Matson Sanderson and his wife Kim, and their daughters Eva Elizabeth and Mattison Sanderson; Darrin Benton and his wife Wendy; Lauren Sanderson Barrows and her husband Matthew; Amy Benton Simmer and her husband Sean and their children Brennan and Casey; Rebecca Lewis Ylvisaker and her husband Tyler; Ashley Wellsandt Braswell and her husband Jason and their daughters, Addison and Bentley.

Cherry is also survived by Marie Gladden Black, Karen Gladden Onslow, Tommy Gladden, Patricia Gladden Pines, Jimmy Gladden, and Rebecca Gladden Aycock.

Cherry graduated from Cartersville High School Class of 1964. She was a member of the 1962 Cartersville Girls State Basketball Championship team.

Her career put her into two entirely different workplace settings. The first being employed by Irvin’s, a staple for women’s apparel in Cartersville, then she was employed by Mission Tire Company in Cartersville as Customer Service and Bookkeeper. In essence you could say she went from “threads to treads”.

As a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Cherry served on many committees as well as being a member of the Chancel Choir. She was a consummate volunteer for any project at Trinity. A true servant of Christ, she touched many lives with her beautiful spirit. She exemplified performing random acts of kindness. As defined in “The Fruit of the Spirit”, her gifts were, Peace, Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

She and her husband of seven years, Tom, were deeply in love with each other. They were devoted parents and grandparents. She immediately became a “Go Vols” fan because of Tom’s Alma Mater, The University of Tennessee.

The love of her life, however, was her daughter Kelly, and grandchildren, Stephen and Hadley Hopkins, who brought her so much joy. Theirs was a special bond of love and devotion to each other. Of course, the other loves of her life were her family and her many cherished friends. Cherry was a true gift to all that knew her. Her quiet and calm demeanor, her compassion for caring, her respect for everyone, and her faithfulness were her greatest characteristics. To know Cherry was to love Cherry. May Cherry’s memory always be a blessing.

Visitation will be Monday, February 16, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA.

Cherry’s life will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 814 West Avenue, Cartersville, GA with Reverend Dr. Shannon Karafanda and Rev. Steve Lyle officiating. Interment to be attended by the family will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make a contribution in Cherry’s memory to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1414, Cartersville, GA 30120.

The family would like to extend our deep appreciation to The Fountains of Cartersville and all their employees, where Cherry was loved by everyone. They also extend their appreciation to Affinity Hospice.

Owen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Cherry Parris Gladden.