Gladys Ruth (Runion) Williford

Gladys Ruth Runion Williford passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday November 27, 2025. Gladys was a month short of 95 years old and lived a full life. Memorial Services will be held Saturday December, 13 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at Redwine Untied Methodist Church. Family will receive friends at the Memorial service in the fellowship hall of Redwine Untied Methodist Church.  She is preceded in death by her husband Raymond Milton Williford. Gladys had 4 children. Raymond Michael Williford, Catherine Ruth Williford Seeley, Christine Evelyn Williford Sims and Mark Richard Willliford. She had six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Gladys was born in New Jersey and lived her young life on a farm outside of New Berlin, New York. Raymond and her were married in 1955 and moved to his home in North Carolina. Gladys was a school teacher and an excellent seamstress.  Ray died in 1969 and Gladys went back to school attending Duke University Seminary College and received her Doctorate with honors.  She became the first woman ever to be ordained into the Eastern Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Gladys moved to Georgia after retirement and attended Redwine Methodist Church in Oakwood.  She will be missed but we rejoice in the knowing that she is whole again and in the Lord’s house.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

Send online condolences to memorialparkfuneralhomes.com 

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