Gladys Fulson Hornbeak

Mrs. Gladys Fulson Hornbeak, age 75, of Garland, Texas, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Tuesday morning, July 8th, 2025, at her residence. She was born on December 1st, 1949, to Emma Howard and Arthur Fulson in Hugo, Oklahoma.

In 1968, she began attending Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK. During her time at SOSU, she studied and eventually attained two bachelor’s degrees in Home Economics and Elementary Education, and a master’s degree in Elementary Education. She also met and began dating James Hornbeak, another student attending SOSU. After graduating from SOSU and after James made it through USMC Basic Training in Georgia, James and Gladys were wed on May 16th, 1972, in Paris, Texas by the Justice of the Peace. To celebrate the joyous occasion, James went and paid for the parking ticket he had just received.

James was stationed at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station near Irvine, California. On August 26th, 1973, the couple welcomed a son, Christopher James. Eventually, the family moved back to Oklahoma, and Gladys began teaching at Fort Towson High. In 1980, the family packed up again to move to Garland, Texas. Here, they purchased their first home and made New Mount Zion Baptist Church their church home. Gladys began teaching for Garland ISD at Freeman Elementary. On February 14th, 1981, they welcomed daughter, Jamie.

In 2005, Gladys retired from teaching after 31 years— 6 years in Fort Towson and 25 years in Garland. She loved teaching all subjects, but always said math and science were her favorites. Gladys always said what always made her love her job was watching the students’ faces the moment they “get it” during a lesson. She said there was nothing like it. Because of her love of teaching and of babies, she began working as a nanny. Over nearly 10 years, she loved and cared for Scott, twins Tucker & Brentley, brothers Cale and Luke, her great-niece Matilyn, and Ian.

In 2004, Gladys was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. She received dialysis treatments for 10 years and 7 months. Then, early one morning in June 2015, she received the call a donor had been found who was a match. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Arthur; by sisters Opal, Bernice, Lennettia, Alee, Lois, Ruby, Molly, and Carrie Mae; and by James. She is survived by son, Chris; by daughter, Jamie; and by grandchildren David, Rochelle, Joshua, and Brooke.

A visitation for Gladys will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home, 1111 Military Pkwy, Mesquite, Texas 75149. A funeral will occur Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 1111 Military Pkwy, Mesquite, Texas 75149. A committal will occur Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75228.