Gladys F. Clanton | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Gladys Faye Frailey Clanton (78) Aurora, NC, died in her home in the arms of her family on April 1, 2015 at sunrise.

    She was born March 12, 1937 in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois the only daughter of Logan and Cora Frailey. She married William (Bill) Clanton on March 21, 1953. They celebrated 62 years together; marked by a renewal of vows on their 60th wedding anniversary.

    Family and friends were Gladys' passion and delight. There are many she called her friend and many who called her Miss Gladys. She maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many. Lives ever changed by witnessing her constant desire to get up, get out, and get going; especially to church on Sunday. She maintained a radiant smile and laughter as her body slowly lost its ability to keep up with her love of shopping, lunch with Red Hat friends, worshipping with church family, and world travels with her husband.

    She took fashion cues from no one. Her signature everyday look included lipstick, jewelry, high heels and purse. This passion opened doors to model fashion shows and to manage a ladies clothing boutique. She was a licensed real estate broker and enjoyed watching her Panama City Beach community of 43 years grow and bring new friends to her life. Gladys was the unofficial family historian. Before there was Facebook there was Gladys' Brag Book, a collection of scrapbooks, each page meticulously presented a story without need of an interpreter. She often packed them in the car for road trips secretly hoping someone would ask to see her latest one.

    She was a member of White Hill Free Will Baptist Church, Past Worthy Matron of Order of Eastern Star, and Daughters of the Nile. She was a past president of Women's Panama City Shrine Club.

    She is survived by her husband Bill and sons Terry, Conyers, Ga (Barbara), Barry, Duluth, Ga (Ivonne), James, Cincinnati, Oh (Teresa), Charles, Fayetteville, Ga(Deborah) and two daughters, Carla, Aurora, NC (Jeff Fleming) and Rebecca, Buckhorn, Tx (Darris Lewis); and brothers Gary Frailey, Rosiclaire, IL (Maxine) and Winthol Frailey, Jackson, Mo(Pat); her special friend and nurse Molly Stilly, Edward, NC, her doctor Dr. Ronald Lather, who was dedicated to her and her well-being and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant son Michael, daughter Deborah (Brian McLaurin) and brother Johnnie (Karen); and her constant companion of ten years, Sweetie. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends in her Aurora NC home of nearly five years.

    She leaves grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica, Angela, Jennifer, Andrew, Lacey, Melissa, Kristen, Travis, Katherine, Michael, Amanda, Karla, Savannah, Tyler and Hailey and great grandchildren are William, Gabriella, Kailyn, Rosalina, Jackson, Maxim, Tucker, Simeon, Haley, Lucas, Gianna and Westin.

    Visitation will be at 5 p.m. on Monday April 6 at Rose-Gilbert Funeral Home in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois with burial at Adams Cemetery immediately following. Johnnie Logan Frailey, Shannon Frailey, Ricky Frailey, Michael Dean Frailey, Robert Frailey and Tim Williams will serve as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to Shaddai Shrine Temple.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, NC and Rose-Gilbert Funeral Home in Cave-In-Rock, IL is honored to serve the Clanton family.