Gladden Generations
Published 7:22 am Sunday, May 22, 2016
Maggie Gladden (Norman) is the matriarch of five generations when she became the great great-great grandmother to two girls Carli Craig and Khalyn Pitts, one boy Kayden Pitts and another girl baby on the way in August. The family strives to convey togetherness. They recognize that the unification of family is a divine order of God. We celebrate the legacy of a great woman, dedicated and committed to motherhood. Maggie has an honest and trustworthy spirit. She exemplifies faith in action and has the ability to provide each generation with a wealth of life lessons and wisdom. Maggie has instilled In her children an understanding of love, hard work, spirituality, respect, unity, family values and recognition of truths.
Her children are strong, courageous and prosperous. The seed of this great woman is evident by the harvest. Maggie is recognized for her many years of hard work at Fibers Industries in Salisbury, NC, where she served over fourteen years. Her high level of drive and determination is apparent by all who really know her. During her working years, she looked to create an atmosphere of how to care for and cook for the elderly; especially while serving at OL Ruffin Senior Citizen Retirement Home for four years. She worked at PPG Industries for almost five years and was a Nursing Assistant at rowan Memorial Hospital for five years. Her joy was from helping others achieve their potentials.
In its purest form, her framework through life thus far has been to serve the Almighty God and cherish the fruit of her eight surviving children. She is the eldest living member faithfully attending Yadkin Grove Baptist Church in Spencer, NC. She served as the greatest President of the Usher Board for over thirty years.
Her excellence in training other ushers quickly spread over Rowan County. She has been a member for over seventy years. Her favorite things to do is listening to Christian music, going to church, and praising her God!
Maggie was the seventh of fifteen children. She was raised with her nine siblings plus six siblings of her sister Sarah. She and her baby sister, Charlotte Ann Miller are the last surviving of the family- carrying the family torch.
Maggie celebrated 83 years of life on May 15, 2016. Born in 1933 in Winnsboro, South Carolina to the parents of James Gladden and Nicie Ann Gladden (better known as “Big Mama”). Her great grandmother was Millie Barber. She and her siblings spent their childhood farming and producing products from the trees and grounds. She recalls the most memorable moments of childhood being walking five miles to get to school and five miles back. School was a one room building. She would stand at the front door and look through the back door. They had to cross a creek and often played on the big log that they crossed over to the other size. Some of her children felt the transition of raising hogs, feeding chickens, and working the gardens. Her children find it amazing that she could raise nine children; practically alone, work a full time job and manage such a lifestyle. Strength and love kept the family close through lots of struggles, pain and grief.
Maggie birthed nine children in this world. Her children have produced eighteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and the three great-great grandchildren.
Maggie according to the Greek meaning is “Pearl.”
We salute her among all women.