OSAGE CITY, Kan. – With the paint finally dry on her eternal home in Heaven, God embraced Gladys Elaine Woodyard, 70, into his loving arms on March 4, 2023. Gladys was born March 23, 1952, to Harley Merle and Iva Jean (Griffin) Ard. She was the second of nine children.
Gladys attended Osage City Elementary School, and graduated from Topeka High School in 1970. At 13 years of age, she was invited to an evening service at the Calvary Assembly of God Church, in Osage City, Kan. While there, she met 15-year-old Boyd Alan Woodyard. It was a love created by God himself. They were married in Topeka on July 6, 1969. Shortly after graduating from high school, Gladys would join Boyd in Germany. It was here that they would start their family of four girls (Marci, Misti, Mandi and Autumn).
While attending middle school in Burlingame, Kan.,, Gladys discovered her lifelong passion for sewing. Her daughters often joked that they were material girls living in a material world, because of all the fabric she collected for sewing. Her children were proud of the clothes she made knowing they were often one-of-a-kind creations. She altered and made dresses for numerous weddings and countless proms. She also did alterations and sewing for people throughout the surrounding communities. In her later years, she would take up the hobby of upholstery. She also enjoyed collecting clocks and learned how to repair them.
She had a strong belief and faith in God and was a member of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, where she attended regularly for 37 years.
Gladys had a love of music that she enjoyed sharing with her daughters and others. She spent countless hours attending music concerts and competitions. She and Boyd were members of Southern Gospel quartets “The Believers” and “Gospel Gold”. Gladys was also a member of the Jersey Creek Club, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Gladys was preceded in death by her father, Merle; sisters, Agnes (Patty) and Ethel (Marie); brothers, Granville Lee (Peanut) and David; son-in-law, Robert Zimmerman; mother-in-law, Gilberta Woodyard; and father-in-law, John Woodyard.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Boyd; daughters; Marci (Phil) Perez, Topeka, Kan., Misti (Bill) Hampton, Lebo, Kan., Mandi (Rick) Potter, Osage City, and Autumn Zimmerman, Topeka; grandchildren, Timothy Woodyard, Levi (Desiree) Hampton, Jade Potter, Riley Potter, and Sheamus McGuigan; great-grandson, Jaden Woodyard; mother, Jean; sister, Shirley; brothers, Merle, Mike and Richard; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, Topeka.
Memorial contributions can be made to Midland Hospice, and sent in care of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66614.
