Gladys L. Clanton

All services are private.

Gladys Lee Clanton was the third child born to the late Casper and Marie Rowland on April 17, 1932 in Nutbush of Vance County, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her siblings:  four sisters- Louise, Viola, Luevenia and Marilyn and four brothers- Odell, George, Emil and Ronald.  She was also preceded in death by her spouses Nathan Watkins and John Clanton. She never had children of her own, and was affectionately known as “Aunt Puddin” to her nieces and nephews.

Gladys began her nursing career at South Side Hospital in Bayshore, New York as a Registered Nurse (RN). Although she aspired to be a doctor, she proudly served as a RN for 30 years and could talk for hours about her various experiences. Gladys was a gifted RN and could provide you with a diagnoses better than most doctors.

After Gladys retired from South Side Hospital, she relocated to San Diego, CA for approximately 10 years, and then returned to the east coast and settled in Rocky Mount, NC.  There she met a community of friends that described her as, “one classy lady and a great friend.”  These ladies treated her like family and Gladys was known to be kind hearted and like a mother to some. While in North Carolina, she showcased some of her other talents like catering, party planning and home decorating.  She planned and executed many lavish dinner parties and even catered events for the Mayor of Rocky Mount, NC.

Her final resting place was in Upper Marlboro, MD with her favorite nephew, George aka “Pimp.”  Gladys and Pimp shared a special bond and she considered him to be the son she never had and he cared for her like his mom.  Gladys loved her family, but had very high expectations, that only a few met.  If you did not live up to her standards, she had a sharp tongue and would let you know.  In her eyes, her nieces and nephews, although adults, remained children forever.

 Gladys departed this life on March 10, 2020 and lived eighty-seven glorious years. She will be greatly missed not only for her quick wit, but for her great cooking as well. 

Gladys leaves behind to cherish her memory her surrogate son/nephew, George Rowland, her beloved niece, Linda Rowland and a host of other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, other family members, and numerous friends.