Gladys Mildred Lee Owens was born on May 10, 1949 in

Cherrystone, VA to Lynnwood and Catherine Owens. She was

the oldest of thirteen children. She passed away on March 08,

2026 at the age of 76 at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, VA.

After high school, Gladys attended Norfolk State University

where she met Billy Burton the father of her boys, Galen and

Erik. Later in life, she gave birth to her daughter, whom she

named after herself, Gladys.

After returning to the shore, she pursued nursing while also

styling hair and occasionally helping in the school system as a

teacher's aid. She was a very social person known by most in the

area. She loved being with family and friends. She loved the

Lord and was a member of the Church of Apostolic Faith.

She loved her coffee in the morning, reading and seeing new

sights. She also enjoyed listening to gospel music as she cleaned

and prepared meals, as well as just good conversation. During

summer months, she enjoyed picking berries and fresh fruit

when available. In the fall it was all about the color changes of

the trees.

Gladys was preceded in death by four of her younger siblings:

Catherine, Erma, Geneva and Grover. She is leaving behind four

brothers, four sisters, three children, six grandchildren, one

great grandchild and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces,

nephews and extended family.