Gladys Lavon Anderson was born on October 8, 1942 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Odis and Viola Bruton. She was the second of three girls. As a young girl, her sisters and her were sharecroppers. She always told people she and her sisters were hard workers in the fields. This was because her dad had no sons. She attended school until the 10th grade. At the age of 19, she met the man who made her toes curl in just three weeks, Offord "Red" Anderson. They married on October 27, 1961 for more than 42 years until his passing on March 18, 2004. They were blessed with two daughters, one son, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Then on December 28, 2019 she met and fell in love again with Don Marsh of Wasco where they married and lived until his passing on November 8, 2022. Gladys loved the Lord more than anything. She was a true woman after God's own heart. She loved being involved with her church family, praying and ministering to people, loved being with her Sunday night Bible Study group, and of course eating out at Cafe 101 after church. She had a calling that only God could have given to her. She was the sweet old lady in church. She was loved by many. She loved listening to the old hymnals and reading her Bible. Her faith was strong even until the end. Her faith never wavered. Her faith was the first love in her life. When the Lord blessed her with a husband and children, she had what she always longed for. She was the homemaker. Always cooking for them and loving them as only a mother could. Very overprotective of her girls. Then she became a grandmother that love grew even more. She would spend her life and home taking care of them every weekend and every school and summer vacation. She would make them dust every weekend and the prize was hamburger helper for Matt and T-Bone steak for Tara. Grandpa Red ate whatever was left. Being a grandmother was truly something she loved. Her grandchildren were her life. Then becoming a great grandmother was where the love grew even more. She was blessed to have this next generation. She spoiled them and loved them as much as she could. She loved her family so much, always in contact with them everyday. She wanted the best for her family and tried to be there for every special moment. She will be missed with her numerous calls a day just to say hello and to know she was thinking of us. Gladys also knew how to cook. She helped her daughter by making her famous coleslaw at Hoyett's Sandwich Shop when she had ownership of the restaurant. She would cook pies for people in her church just to brighten their day. She made the best stuffing at Thanksgiving. She made see's candies chocolate fudge during Christmas and numerous dishes over her lifetime. Gladys would occasionally like to go to the beach and spend her time with her grandchildren and their families for the weekend. You would find her watching Gunsmoke, Judge Judy or Dr. Phil, or going to Cafe 101. Gladys was a woman who loved the Lord and loved her family deeply and cherished the numerous friends she had. There was never any doubt in anyone's mind how much she loved her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. She will never be forgotten and will forever be cherished and missed by many.

Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, Odis and Viola Bruton, sisters Imogene "Shirley" Alberson, and Dolly "Dimple" Alberson, husband Offord "Red" Anderson, and second husband Don Marsh. She is survived by her daughters Terry Anderson of Wasco, Debbie Harrison and husband Victor of Bakersfield, Randall Schmitt of Iowa, grandchildren Tara Wilson and husband Aaron of Bakersfield, Matthew McClellan and wife Jessica of Buttonwillow, Scott Schmitt and wife Samantha of Iowa, Caleb Sellers of Bakersfield, and Journee Sellers of Bakersfield. Great grandchildren Addison Wilson of Bakersfield, Trevor and Annabell Anderson of Buttonwillow, Sloan, Sawyer and Scarlett Schmitt of Iowa. Numerous family and friends who she leaves behind.