Missionary Gladys Mae Wysong

Gladys Mae Wysong was born on May 12, 1915 in Bono, Texas to Ada Banks and Robert Roy. She had 2 sisters and 3 brothers. In her youth she tended to the family farm, but Saturdays and Sundays were reserved for church. Her father was the Deacon of the church and her mother was the church cook, so she was introduced to the Lord at an early age.

When she got older the Lord called her to become a missionary, and she moved from El Campo, Texas to Palacios, Texas to work in a church. Then she was called to Palms Springs, California in 1956, where she started the Church of God in Christ that Elder L.K. Griggs took over when she moved to Santa Ana, California. After, she started a prayer service in Laguna Beach and one in her living room that ended up becoming a church with the help of Elder Deadrick and Bishop Griggs. Then, God sent her to Los Angeles to work with Bishop Shearly at the Church of Congregation. After his death, she spent 18 years teaching Sunday school and 25 years leading mission services at Elder Shipp's church.

For 15 years, she would spend Saturdays feeding the homeless on the streets. She became so popular they gave her the nickname “the chicken lady”. Even when she was unable to continue to feed the homeless, her daughter help her deliver food to people in need.

She spent her final days under the care of her daughter, Deloris. She is survived by her daughter, Deloris, her son, Oliver, her granddaughter, Gwendola, her great-grand children, Delilah, John, Jeffrey, Jonathan, Joshua, Marcus, John Ell Jr, and Johnnell, and many great-great-grand children.