Gladys Faye Sanders

Gladys Faye Sanders, 82, of McDonough, GA, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2022 at Sacred Journey Hospice. Gladys was born to the late William and Lovie Sanders on September 20, 1939 in Tupelo, MS.

Gladys married Joseph P. Marie in 1962 and together they had four children, Melinda, Monica, Kathy and Vince. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in McDonough, GA until she and her family moved to Lumberton, NC in 1972 where she attended West Lumberton Baptist Church. She was a loving homemaker who took great care of her four children. She also welcomed several children from the Georgia Baptist Girls Home into her home every summer and on holidays. When her children were older, she worked at Glad-Mar, Inc., a sportswear outlet named after her. In 1978, she and her family moved back to Georgia. She worked as a day care teacher, took care of elderly people and was a housekeeper in her later years. She loved her family, friends and her dog, Cooper. She treated everyone she knew as though they were family. She was an avid Elvis Presley fan. She saw him perform live seven times and got to see him backstage once. She loved to dance, bake and walk with her dog. She loved watching game shows, Nascar races, and Dark Shadows in her early years. She loved traveling and spending summers with her family and friends at Myrtle Beach. Her favorite color was red and her favorite flower was a red rose.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Winsel West and ex-husband, Joseph Marie. She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Nesmith, her children Melinda (Lonnie) Shirley, Monica (Barry) Jenkins, Kathy (Joey) Nichols, Vince Marie (Donna Palmer), 29 Grandchildren and 19 Great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Haisten Funerals & Cremations, 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway South, McDonough, GA 30253. Visitation will take place from 12:00 to 1:45 PM with the service immediately following at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at the McDonough City Cemetery, 456 Macon Street, McDonough, GA 30253.

The service will be officiated by Pastor Jonathan Andersen of Harvest Point United Methodist Church.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to Haisten Funerals & Cremations at the above address. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to A Friend’s House at www.afriendshouse.org . Please click on +Add a message and type “In memory of Gladys F. Sanders” on the message line.