A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Gladys C. Armstead, 89 of Decatur, Alabama will be 1pm Friday at Garner Memorial C.M.E Church with Pastor Steven D. Little officiating and inhumation to follow in Sterrs Cemetery.  The body will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral.  The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6-7 at Reynolds Funeral Home.  Public viewing will be Wednesday from 2-7 and Thursday from 10-7 at the funeral home. 

Mrs. Gladys C. Armstead was born February 24, 1927 in Morgan County to the late Lattis Chatman and Ruby L. Key Chapman. As a young lady she confessed hope in Christ and joined Curry Chapel C.M.E. Church, later joining Ferguson Chapel C.M.E. Church in Opelika, AL.  She entered under the watch-care at Garner Memorial C.M.E. Church upon relocating to Decatur, AL.

After Elementary School, she attended Morgan County Training School where she graduated as valedictorian of her class.  She furthered her education, matriculating at Alabama State University, in Montgomery, AL earning a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education.  She also obtained her Master’s Degree in 1955.  She was employed by the Opelika Board of Education serving as Principal of Jeter St. Elementary School, where she excelled professionally and touched the lives of many during her tenure.  Years after retirement she relocated to Decatur in order to be closer to her family.

She was preceded in death by three sisters, Francis O’neal McDaniel, Lucy Miller and Sheary Dean Townsend; and one stepdaughter, Doris Armstead Bowers.

Gladys peacefully passed this life on July 15, 2016 at Decatur Morgan Hospital-Parkway Campus. She was an advocate for education and a great support system for her family. Her intelligence, gracefulness, determination and personality will be forever missed.

Leaving to cherish her memory are a devoted and loving sister, Alice “Jo”  Elliott; a nephew that she raised as her own, Edward Gordon; a loving niece, Lavernice Garrett; a stepdaughter, Ernestine Armstead Langford of Englewood, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones and friends.

Pallbearers will be Nephews and Flower Bearers will be nieces.