Gladys E. West

Gladys Earl West, 89, died peacefully at home in Edmond on July 30, 2016. Born Aug 16, 1926, in Winston County, AL, to Minnie and Clayborn Huffstutler, she attended school in Jasper, AL, and married her sweetheart, Charles West, on Feb 26, 1943, at the ripe old age of 16. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1952. Gladys gave her heart to Jesus at a young age and was a longtime member of the Church of the Nazarene. She was an amazing homemaker, and her southern-style cooking was second to none. She is the last of the West family generation fondly and appropriately referred to as “the aunts and uncles” – eight siblings and their spouses who handed down a legacy of commitment, Christian family values and love.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 54 years, Charles; a sister, Elsie Lowe of Carrollton, AL; and a grandson, Bradley West of Edmond. Survivors include son Rev Charles West and wife Phyllis of Newton, KS; son Jerry West and wife Kay of Edmond; grandson Doug West and wife DeAnn of Bonner Springs, KS; granddaughter Lisa West Jackson and husband Jason of Colorado Springs, CO; grandson Robert West of Huntsville, AL; grandson Brian West and wife Yukino of Edmond, OK; grandson Brent West and wife Amy of Guthrie, OK; great-grandchildren Zachary, Abbie, Quinn, Garrett, Levy, Justin, Christian, Jacob, Camden, Finley and Tipton; and many nieces and nephews.

“Grandma Gladys” to her grandchildren and “Gigi” to her great-grands, she loved and doted on family. Gladys was so very proud of her two sons and the “daughters” they brought into the family. She wrote some of her thoughts in the back of her Bible: “I always wanted to be a homemaker and a mother. I hope I’ve been a blessing to them. I love them all so much.”

You were a blessing, Gladys. And we will miss your pretty, always-smiling face and the joy that came from a life of good living and knowing Jesus.