Gladys Marjorie Wood

Gladys Marjorie Wood was born on March 9, 1923 in Bullrun, OR to the already growing family of William and Mary Wood. Gladys was the middle child in a family of 11 siblings including Wilfred, Walter, Edna, Martha, Clifford, Gladys, William, Virgil, Lewis, Mary and Charles! The family moved to Idaho, where Gladys grew up and attended school through the sixth grade, as she was then needed at home to care for her younger siblings. Gladys recalls spending her days collecting scraps, tin, string and copper to sell for pennies, as well as collecting bits of coal along the railroad tracks. The family pulled together and pulled through the Great Depression.

Early on in her life the Corps Officers (Pastors) at the Nampa, ID Salvation Army Corps (church) visited Gladys’ family and invited the children to Sunday School. Gladys was about 7 years old when she was drawn by the love shown and gave her heart to Jesus, as her Savior and Lord of all her life! From this humble beginning, Gladys flourished at the Army and felt the call to ministry. She attended the Training Garrison, but because of her limited education she came back to the Cascade division, with only $2.53 in her pocket. She moved to Portland and worked at the soda fountain of Fred Meyers (mostly because they provided one meal a day along with minimal pay) and lived in a boarding room above. But Gladys was called to serve the Lord and attended the Portland Tabernacle Salvation Army corps (church) and became a faithful soldier (member), Songster, Sunday School Teacher, Sunbeam leader, held several leadership positions in Women’s group, was an usher into her 90’s and always filled her car with people who needed to know and grow in Jesus’ love and grace!

Gladys worked as a Spinner for 41 years at Jantzen Woolen Mills (now part of Columbia Sportswear) keeping 100-300 large wooden bobbins filled with wool as they were woven into fabric. It was a fast-paced and even dangerous job to keep the machines humming all day. And each week she spent evenings faithfully discharging her Soldier’s Covenant with quiet, consistent and loving service to God training young people so they would have guidance and know they mattered.

Gladys lived independently until just after her 100th birthday, when she moved to Royal Anne assisted living. There she continued to share a kind word and her love for Jesus with all she met. She has always been faithful to her God, and always ready with a heart to serve others!

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Gladys’ name to The Salvation Army Portland Tabernacle Corps (8495 SE Monterey Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086).

A memorial service will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at The Salvation Army Portland Tabernacle Corps (Church)