On December 27, 1934, a beautiful baby girl was born through the union of Phil and Gracie Dunn in Moffett, Oklahoma. Her parents named her Gladys Jean, but fondly called her “Baby Lee”. Gladys was the oldest of 5 children. Two of her siblings preceded her in death, Alma Dunn and Barbara Barrett.
Gladys (Baby Lee) and her family later moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma.
She confessed her love for Christ at an early age and God was her guiding force throughout her life. Gladys was baptized at Macedonia Baptist Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Gladys was a graduate of Manual Training High School, where she later worked there as a secretary.
Early in her life, she met and married James Grady Craig, Sr. To that union, five children were born. Two of her children preceded her in death. An infant son whom she loved, but never held and her oldest son, James Craig, Jr.
Gladys was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who always tried to put the interest of her family first. She tried to give them the best that she could. Gladys later moved to Kansas City, Kansas where she met and married LaVerne (Chief) Drummer. Chief preceded her in death. Gladys loved to bake cakes, pies, and holiday meals for her family until her body no longer allowed.
Gladys was a faithful member of Guiding Star Baptist Church and worked as the church secretary for several years. She later joined Rising Star Baptist Church and was a member of the Mother Board.
Gladys started working at the age of 14 and continued working until she retired. Her most favorite job was an administrative secretary at Westport High School. The kids loved her like a grandmother. She also worked as a secretary for the Willa Gill Community Center.
When Gladys’s health began to fail her, she moved to the Medicalodge of Kansas City, Kansas. On September 16, 2021 at 8:10 a.m., Gladys closed her eyes for the last time and received her call to her heavenly home to rest.
She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters, Linda Harris of Lee’s Summit, MO; Jacqueline Dawson of Kansas City, KS, and Cynthia (John) Tramble of Gardner, KS; one sister and brother, Fannie Kay and Roosevelt (Gloria) Dunn both of Oklahoma City, OK; eight grandchildren, Phil Golden, William (Anisha) Roark, MoNae (Don) White, William Harris, III, Brandon (Delease) Tarr, Cameron (Kayla) Tarr, James Craig and Dewayne Thomas; 15 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who all loved her dearly.
Visitation for Gladys will be from 1-2 PM with a funeral service beginning at 2 PM on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112. Her final place of rest will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
