Gladys Leah Carpenter

Gladys was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her daughters Sabrina Hotz (Ronald), Adrien Sofran (Todd), Sonia Bourgeois (Leo), Hailey Carpenter and stepson, Phillip E. Carpenter (Valerie). Gladys was preceded in death by sons, Bradford French and Jay Bradford French and her husbands Jere Bruce French, and Phillip W. Carpenter. She is survived also by her sister-in-law, Esther Rhodes. Gladys was a loving grandmother to her first set of grandchildren, Hiliary Leneweaver (Kyle), Marissa Pownall (Allen), Jocelyn Hotz (Joe), Jay Bourgeois, Terrie Bourgeois, and her step-grandchildren. She has many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she adored. She often said she loved her children more than words could say, all of them, including those children that came to her home through the foster program. She was so proud to tell others that all her foster children were never lost in the system, they were all placed back with good parents, families, or through adoptions. Gladys opened her home to many that she could help. That is just the kind of person she was. Gladys was a devoted Christian (Baptist) and loved the Lord. She taught all of her children about our Lord Jesus; she wanted to be certain she would see us again. We will see you again, Mom. Until then, we love you with all our hearts still and you will live in our memories, forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11am on May 23, 2026 at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL 33774 with a reception to follow.