Gladys was born on a farm in Vox, Kentucky on August 21, 1926 to Mary Louise Wilburn (Cochran) and Harv Wilburn. She was the 7th of 8 children.
Gladys built a life she loved and protected it fiercely. She moved from Kentucky to Michigan at age 20 to escape the farm life, supporting herself as a waitress and live-in nanny until marrying at 30 and becoming a mother at 34. She and her husband owned and operated the Pine Lake Marina in West Bloomfield, while also helping with the family business, an apartment building and boat livery on Square Lake in Bloomfield Hills.
Gladys became the head property manager of the family apartment building and managed the tenants, maintenance, book keeping until just days before her passing. Along the way, she cared for family members and helped raise her granddaughter, proving that a steadfast woman with a unwavering heart and an insatiable sweet tooth is a force to be reckoned with.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Billy, her daughter Mary Lee, and her siblings. She is survived by her son Mark, and daughter-in-law Mary, as well as her granddaughter Liana and her fiancé William.
A small graveside service will be held on Monday, December 14th at 11am at Pine Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you grab an Oreo cookie, bowl of ice cream (vanilla with hot fudge), or a piece of chocolate cake and enjoy something sweet in memory of Gladys.
