Gladys Gulley

Gladys, age 98, passed away on November 18, 2015. Gladys was born in Covington County, Alabama on September 22, 1917 to Bubba and Mamie Johnson. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband of 53 years, Justin and a sibling Murry Johnson. Gladys is survived by her siblings, Ferrin Johnson, Retha Hardage, Merle Anderson and Lecie Holley. She was the proud parent of, Linda Balling and husband Tito, her son Steve Gulley and wife Linda. Gladys was also the proud grandparent to; Erik and Maxine Balling, Janine and Chad Wagner, Andrew Gulley and finance Laura MacArthur, Stephen and Lauren Gulley, Katrina Balling and husband John Jacobsmeyer, Carlee Balling, Roger and Annette Ghidelli, Suzanne Ghidelli and finance Brian Luis, Julianne and Jonathan Hill, Marianne and Heath Duinkerken, Anthony Ghidelli and 13 great grandchildren who loved her dearly.

Gladys married Justin in 1945 in Andalusia, Alabama and moved to the Monson community of Dinuba in 1946. She was active in the Dinuba Christian Church, the Wilson 4-H club where she taught sewing and cooking and various fraternal organizations. She was employed with the Dinuba School District as a “cafeteria lady”. She cherished the friends she made during those years.

Gladys loved to play cards and enjoyed the gatherings with friends in the Golden Chain group of the church. They had many wonderful years enjoying food and fellowship with friends she loved. Gladys was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1986 but continued to live an active life on the farm. She provided loving care to her disabled husband for 13 years before moving to Coalinga a few years after his death. She began needing more assistance as time passed. The loving care provided by, Candelaria Cisneros, Irene and Lettie Bonilla, Nesha Coulter and Sharon Shreves allowed Gladys to continue to live a quality life in her own home until her passing. She continued her connection with Dinuba and Alabama through her frequent phone calls to family and friends. The distance from them did not prevent her from staying touch with those she loved.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Griffin for the care he provided for Gladys after she moved to Coalinga. They also appreciate the staff of Coalinga Regional Medical Center who cared for her the week before her passing.

Services for Gladys will be held at the Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba on Tuesday November 24, 2015 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Dinuba Christian Church memorial fund; 355 Saginaw Way, Dinuba, CA 93618.