Gladys Louise Campbell

Gladys Louise Campbell Gladys Louise Campbell, age 92, born in Wheat, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. She was the daughter of the late, Alice Jordan Campbell and Jesse McKinley Campbell. Her five siblings preceded her in death - brothers: Paul, Robert, Roy and Earl Campbell and sister Ruth Campbell. Clara Lou Campbell, wife Roy Campbell, is the only survivor of her five siblings. Proceeding her in death were two nephews - Don Campbell and Steve Campbell - and one niece Susan Campbell Tallent. Surviving nieces are Gail Campbell Garner and Carolyn Campbell Wynn. She has several surviving grand nieces and nephews, and also great-grand nieces and nephews. Gladys graduated from Farragut (TN) High School, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). She received a Masters Degree in Rural Church and Community at Scarritt College for Christian Workers (Nashville, TN); and was awarded a Doctorate in Humane Letters from Philander Smith (African-American) University (Little Rock, AR). Following five years as an English teacher in public schools, she became a lay professional worker in The United Methodist Church. She first served in Carter County (TN) and Pitman Center (near Gatlinburg, TN). Then she became Associate Director of Hinton Rural Life Center (located in Hayesville, NC) and served in church leadership development across the Southeastern Jurisdiction and beyond. For her last 27 years of service, Gladys was based in New York City with the General Board of Global Ministries. As Director of Town and Country Ministries, she served communities across the USA and at times in other countries. A passion in her ministry was working with all levels of church and community leadership in developing cooperative parishes (United Methodist and ecumenical) among churches in given geographic areas in town and rural settings. Her mantra was doing together the things that could be accomplished better together than working alone. Gladys was known for her generosity in providing funds and personal encouragement for young people inspiring to seek training for life's vocation(s). Her generosity also overflowed in countless ways with family members and extended families in their life-long journeys. As a deaconess, some of the Organizations across the General Church in which she gave leadership support include: National United Methodist Rural Fellowship, Appalachian Development Committee, Commission On Religion in Appalachia, National Network on Town and Country Ministries, National Committee on Cooperative Parish Consultations, National Church and Community Workers Organization, and Rural Chaplains Association for Lay and Clergy. A graveside service at Loudon County Memorial Gardens in Loudon, TN will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Friday, May 26, 2023 with the Reverend Michael Shuford officiating. The burial will be in the cemetery beside her mother. An informal gathering will be held from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Wednesday, May 31, 2023 with a time of reflection to follow at Garrett Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mobility Worldwide MO - Columbia, 4825 E. Meyer, Columbia, MO 65201. https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/MobilityWorldwideMOColumbia Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com for the Campbell family.