Gladys Laverne King passed away peacefully at home with her children Sunday, July 28, in Winston Salem, N.C. She was born April 27, 1943, in Vicksburg to James and Margie Lee Clark.

She was a loving mother, a supportive sister, a genuine friend and a God-fearing woman.

Gladys was a devoted member of the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she enriched the lives of many through her compassionate spirit and unwavering faith.

Gladys was a 1961 graduate of Rosa A. Temple High School. She earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree in 1963.

Over the course of 38 years, she provided medical care to the residents of Warren and surrounding counties while working at the Kuhn Memorial Hospital, Warren County Health Department and on private duty assignments.

Upon retiring from nursing, Gladys (or “Nana” as she became known by her adoring great-grandchildren), focused on her ministry as an ordained evangelist.

She enjoyed visiting the sick and shut-in, providing transportation services to those in need, ministering to patients at local convalescent homes, sharing her testimonies of God’s greatness and writing religious poetry. Gladys’s legacy is one of profound kindness and selfless service.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Gladys was preceded in death by her brother, James B. Clark Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories a daughter, Bridgette Gomez and son, Cleveland W. Thomas Jr., both of Winston-Salem; a brother, Alfred L Clark (Shirley) of Jackson; a granddaughter, Maegan Gomez; and two great-grandchildren, Poppy and Paige Gomez, all of Greensboro, N.C.; bonus sons, Richard King (Pamela) of Columbus, Ga., John Davis (Willie Mae) of Vicksburg, Don Gomez (Crystal) of Walkertown, N.C.; other relatives and friends including Dr. Michael Stept, Donna Williams and members of the Davis, Galtney-White, Gomez, Johnson, Lawrence and Trotter families.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, August 10, at Regional Memorial Cremation and Funeral Services in Greensboro, N.C.