Gladys Boyd Staten was the daughter of the later Bertha Boyd of Wylliesburg, VA.  She was the second oldest child of five children.  Her three brothers, Mitchell, Lee and Emmett, one sister Pearl all preceded her in death.

She met an married the late James Thomas Staten on December 27, 1942, from the union twelve children was born. Gladys accepted the Lord and her personal savior and joined the First Baptist Church in Wylliesburg, VA.  She remained there as a Deaconess and a member of the Missionary Board until the time of her death.  She loved the Lord and often spoke about how good He was to her and if it had not been for him, she would not have lived to be 84 years old.  Her favorite scripture was Psalm 23.

She was loved by all those who knew her.  She was a awesome mother, grandmother and great-great grandmother. One of her prayers was that the Lord would allow  her to live until all her children was grown.  God did just that. She loved her children, she would often say to us, I love you all the same, I love one no more than the other.  She had a big heart, She was kind, loving, funny, and excellent cook she was also a women who would speak her heart. 

She fought the battle with cancer until the Lord called her home.  Gladys had one daughter, Juanita, who preceded her in death. She leaves a legacy of love for her children, JoeAnn, James, Jr., Clarence, Gladys, Stella, Ronnie, Barbara, Geraldine, Warren, Peggy and Mike, her grandchildren, great children, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, cousins and friends.  Even though, she is not with us in body, but she lives on in our hearts.  She will be truly missed.