Gladys Florence West

Born July 29, 1911 in Norwood, Missouri daughter of Ben Absher and Lula Coday Absher. Gladys had 3 brothers and one sister. She lived on her grandparent’s farm and educated in a one room schoolhouse north of Norwood.

After 8th grade, she attended Mansfield High School, Mansfield, MO. She met and married Ray West, also of Norwood, Missouri. In 1935, Ray and Gladys moved to Tulare, Ca and had two children, Jerry Ray West and Mary Kathryn West Lane. Ray went to work for Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1939, they were transferred to Bakersfield, Ca. Gladys went to work for Sears Roebuck in 1942 and retired in 1973 to spend time with her grandchildren.

Gladys was a devoted member of Crossover Baptist Church, where she taught adult ladies Bible classes for many years and was also in the music program. Her hobbies were crocheting and cooking. Her favorites to make were pies, cakes and homemade breads. She is also known to the family as the world’s greatest rummy player.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray West, brothers Jesse and Floyd Absher, her son Jerry West and grandson Timothy West.

Those that mourn her passing: sister, Mary Ellen Kersey and brother Donald E. Absher. Daughter, Mary West-Lane, Daughter-in-Law, Joann West, Twelve grandchildren: Randy Lane, Diana West, Cindy Lane, Lisa Lane, Dennis West & wife Krista, Michael Lane, Brian West & wife Betsy, David West & fiancée Lacey Boggess, Monica West-Martin & husband Tim, Bridget Lane-Parks & husband Jeff, Greg West & wife Katie, Colleen West-Forsythe & husband Brian. Thirteen great grandchildren, and many many friends and church family.

Services will be held at Crossover Baptist Church 18210 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, Ca. 93314 on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 @ 11:00 am. A visitation will also be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 from 4-8 pm at Hillcrest Mortuary.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in me. In my FATHERS house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

(John 14: 1-2)

In lieu of flowers, any donations should be made in Gladys’s name to Crossover Baptist Church 18210 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 661-589-5567.