Gladys Mary Napora | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: October 8, 1920, Died: February 6, 2019

    Gladys Wells Napora passed away on February 6, 2019.

    She was 98, and had lived a full and fulfilling life. Gladys was born October 8th, 1920 in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Irene Blakeney Wells and Robert Plummer Wells. It was in Baltimore where she met her husband, John James Napora (born 1916), an Army Warrant officer. They were married in 1942 and, as with many war brides, had to see her husband depart for war. John fortunately returned, and they eventually had four children, Claudia (Buchner), Cynthia (Prejna), Robert, and Irene while John served at numerous bases across the globe.

    Gladys was predeceased by her son, Robert in 1979, and her husband in 1994. Ever adventurous, she traveled with her daughters well into her eighties, visiting the Holy Land, Mexico, and Australia, where she climbed the Sydney Bridge, exhausting her companions. Gladys was always active in the Catholic Church and taught Catholic Sunday School for nearly 50 years. Her senior years were enjoyed in Belhaven, North Carolina, among wonderful friends. There she volunteered at the local hospital and for Meals on Wheels which she eventually also benefited from.

    She left the world content with a full life, thankful for giving and kind friends, and proud of her daughters, to be reunited again with her waiting husband and son. Afternoon of remembrance celebrating the life of Gladys will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2766 S. Savanna Road, Belhaven, NC.