Gladys Naomi Johnson Winters
Published 4:27 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2019
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Gladys Naomi Johnson Winters, 91, formerly of Roan Mountain, Tenn., passed away peacefully on February 13, 2019. Gladys was one of eight daughters born to Herbert and Manarka Johnson of Roan Mountain, Tenn. She attended the old Cloudland High School when the Tweetsie steam locomotive was still a working train carrying passengers and freight from Johnson City, Tenn., to Boone, N.C. Gladys worked at the American Bemberg Rayon Plant in Elizabethton, Tenn., before marrying Elisha B. Winters, also of Roan Mountain, in 1946. After marrying, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she worked at the Dolly Madison bakery until her first child was born and she left the workforce to become a full-time homemaker.
Gladys loved to travel and after Elisha joined the U.S. Air Force in 1949, she received the opportunity to live in many places in the United States and travel overseas to England. Gladys enjoyed lush, green lawns, gardening, canasta, family gatherings and playing horseshoes. The echoes of her whoops when she made a ringer still reverberate across the mountains and prairies! Through her travels, Gladys did not abandon her passion for Appalachian cuisine and her buttermilk biscuits almost floated off the plate. Her kitchen was never without home-made cakes, cookies or pies. Gladys was a tireless homemaker and always provided a warm and loving home for her family.
Gladys is survived by her seven children: daughters, Dawnetta Winters, Lakewood, Colo., Patricia (Robert) Hart, Harriman, Tenn., Cynthia Taylor, Roan Mountain, Tenn., Carolyn (Scott) Winters Jacobs, Poulsbo, Wash., and Kimberly (Kyle) Winters Toburen, Colorado Springs, Colo.; sons, Gregory (Kathy) Winters, Tucson, Ariz., and Glenn (Sandi) Winters, San Angelo, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Nathan, Carolee, Michael, Eli, Heather, Lee, Karen, Meagan, Ryan, Rebecca and Maianna; one great-granddaughter, Brianna; three great-grandsons, Cadence, Cooper and Theodore; one brother, Darrell Johnson, Roan Mountain, Tenn.; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, husband and seven sisters, Ruby Arnett, Blanche Smith, Reva Cordell, Emma Johnson, Ruth Shomaker, Hazel Parlier and Mae Shell.
Gladys has made her final journey from San Angelo, Texas, to Roan Mountain. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 2, at the Rhododendron Chapel in Roan Mountain from 1 until 2 p.m. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. with Mr. Billy Shomaker officiating. The interment will follow in the Johnson Cemetery on Sugar Hollow Road. Active pallbearers will be Greg Winters, Glenn Winters, Karen Winters, Nathan Hart, Michael Hart and Dennis Schwiebert. Our hearts will always be filled with loving thoughts and memories of this beautiful and spirited woman, our beloved mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed but we are comforted to know she is resting in the loving arms of God. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. Winters and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain. Office: (423) 772-3928. Service Line Information: (423) 543-4917.