Gladys Burleson Countryman

Gladys Burleson Countryman of Temple, Texas, age 105, peacefully passed away in the early hours of Monday, April 23, 2012 at Temple Living Center West, with a loving granddaughter, Terri, by her side. Born December 22, 1906 to Chauncie and Lillie Bell Burleson, Mrs. Countryman grew up in Bartlett, Temple, and Wharton County Texas. "Glad," as she was called by her sisters, was often a handful to her parents, saved at times only by her wide smile and mischievous eyes. Proud of being a tomboy but not always wise, she once skipped school to ride her horse. The escapade did not end well after she rode her horse at full speed around the schoolhouse. This probably did not slow her down for long. Mrs. Countryman is survived by three daughters: Janice Skinner Gorden and husband Billy B. Gorden of Temple; Judean Skinner Manion and husband Adrian Manion of Austin; and Linda Countryman Swedberg and husband Chad Swedberg of Austin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and five great-great- grandchildren, with number six expected to arrive shortly. Mrs. Countryman is also survived by her dear friend, Mrs. Adelene Flowers of Bay Minette, Alabama. Mrs. Countryman met and married her "Alabama boy" William Davidson ("Bill") Countryman in Temple not long following his return from World War II, and in 1952, they moved to Bay Minette, Alabama, where they lived until Bill's death in 1989. In 1991, Mrs. Countryman returned to Texas. Mrs. Countryman worked in several jobs across Central Texas and, later, 36 years for the federal civil service, receiving many commendations and awards for her outstanding work. She worked at Ft. Hood, Texas during World War II, at McCloskey Veterans Hospital in Temple, and at several federal agencies in Alabama and Florida until her retirement at age 70. She worked hard at whatever she undertook, and loved her family with all her heart and soul. She was a smart and funny woman and an enthusiastic gardener. She loved to fish as long as fishing consisted mainly of resting in her lawn chair on the boat enjoying the water, and was ready to travel at any time, to any place. And, as her co-workers knew too well, she played a mean game of bridge every day at lunch. An avid genealogy researcher and proud 4th generation Texan, Mrs. Countryman was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Visitation will be from five to seven p.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple, located at 3110 Airport Road. Funeral services will be held at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home on Thursday, April 26, 2012, followed by a short graveside service at the Little Flock Cemetery. If memorials are wished, please consider The Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org, or P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011) or the charity of your choice, in memory of Gladys L. Countryman. The family wishes to thank all those who have so thoughtfully helped the family at this time and who have shared so many wonderful "Gladys" stories.