Gladys Idell Cannady Trull was born on a farm in Robeson County in North Carolina on January 31, 1927 to Ila Jean Chason Cannady and David Schofield Cannady. She spent her childhood on a farm in Durham, North Carolina where she did her chores and wandered the pastures taking in the beauty of God’s creation.
She was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church and was active in the Baptist Young People’s Union. She left Durham at age 17 to train as a Practical Nurse in Stuart, Virginia at a private hospital run by Dr. W.C. Akers. She and her friend Naomi went out to buy a fountain drink at the drug store one day when Naomi’s cousin called from across the street. Naomi introduced Gladys to her cousin, a young sailor by the name of Curtis Amos Trull. Can you say love at first sight? Gladys and Curtis were married on April 12, 1946 and began their married life in Martinsville, Virginia.
Gladys and Curtis worked various jobs as newlyweds, with Curtis finally settling into the business of barbering. Gladys was, first and foremost, a devoted mother to her three children and wife to her husband. Later in her life she held various jobs to help support her family and pay for college educations. Having been unable to finish high school due to vision challenges, she attained her GED in her fifties.
She was a woman of strong faith who lived out the commandment to love one another. She was grateful in all things and trusted God to give her strength through life’s ups and downs. Gladys was eternally positive, and a true believer that “There is Beauty Everywhere.” She was an excellent seamstress, an avid gardener, a wonderful singer and strong alto. She taught herself to play piano hymns by ear. She cooked the best food. A talented writer, Gladys kept daily journals of poems, events, and “her thoughts at the time.” She was also an avid reader, having read over 200 books in several years in her eighties.
Gladys and Curtis both enjoyed the simple things in life…the little daily blessings meant the world to them. Though humble, they achieved greatness through service to God and others. She counted her grandchildren as among life’s great blessings. Unbeknownst to them, she was their constant prayer warrior.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Curtis Amos Trull. She is survived by her son, Curtis Stanford Trull (Renee) of San Marcos, Texas; and daughters Deborah Trull Skillman (Steve) of Southport, North Carolina; and Belinda Trull Howard (Jeff) of Spotsylvania, Virginia; grandchildren Curtis S. Trull, Jr. (Nicole), Robert E. Trull (Becky), Maria Trull Clark (Chris), John Curtis Skillman (Polly), Meredith Chaison Skillman, Lacy Howard Sherwin (Trevor), Carson Jefferson Howard; and great-grandchildren Curtis S. Trull, III, Dominique Trull, Tyler Trull, Serena Clark, Jonathan Clark, and John Augustus (Gus) Skillman.
A graveside service will be held at Roselawn Burial Park on Saturday, June 12, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Dr. Mike Hatfield officiating.
Memorials honoring Gladys may be made to: Chatham Heights Baptist Church, 1235 Old Chatham Road, Martinsville, VA 24112 or to Vision to Learn at https://visiontolearn.org.
