Gladys Welch Simonds, of the Alarka community went home to be with the lord December 6, 2022, at Bryson Senior Living. A native of Swain County, Gladys was born March 28, 1942, to the late Cecil and Edna Mae Sutton Welch.
Gladys worked at Swain County Sheriff’s department and Mountain View Manor for years. A truly remarkable woman from volunteering at the food pantry and constantly giving back to the community. She was a God-fearing Christian woman who attend Mount Carmel Baptist Church. If you got the chance to meet her you are truly a lucky person, she loved to help others, and never knew a stranger. To others she was Gladys but to her friends and family she was known as Maw, Granny or Nanny. Nothing made her happier than spending time with all her loved ones. A true love story from start to finish 64 years of marriage. Gladys and Arvil started out with just 5 kids, the love they started has now blossomed and spread into many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to Cecil and Edna Mae Welch, Gladys was preceded in death by brother John, sister Glenna, and four infant brothers and sisters, and late son in laws Mark Price and Edwin Larry Simonds.
Gladys is survived by her husband Arvil Simonds; Brothers: Bud, Joe, Winford (Linda), Donald, and Dewayne (Donna); Sisters: Annette (Gene), Joan (Dennis), and Donna; Sons: Bobby (Frieda), Thomas (Darleen) and Carl; Daughters: Kathy, Cindy (Mark). Grandchildren: Larry (Amber), David (Cindy), Brandon (Aubrey), Brooklyn, Heather, Sherissa (Bracken), Kena (Billy), Tina, Jason, Brooke, Tori, Noland, Ethan (Sabrina), Kaddi, Karri, Kassi, Emily, Olivia, Becky; Great-grandchildren: Katie, Hunter, Joslyn, Madison, Waylon, Billy, Jaden, Wrenley, Noah, James, Collin, Jennifer, Braxton, Lily, Caden, Paxton, and Piper.
The family would like to say thanks to Jamal and granddaughter Cindy at Skyland Care Center for being so compassionate and caring while Gladys was there. Also, thanks to all the staff at Bryson Senior Living and her granddaughter Brooklyn for the love and care they gave to her as her time on this earth was ending. The family would also like to say a very special thank you to Charlie Rickman for being a wonderful friend to Gladys and Arvil.
Pall bearers will be James Woodard, Nolan Simonds, Hunter Sneed, Bobby Simonds, Nathaniel Simonds, Larry Simonds and Doug Woodard
Services were held Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Chapel at Crisp Funeral home with the Reverends Earl Holden and Tim Barker officiating. The Family received starting at 12:00 pm prior to the service. Committal Services followed at the Fred Cochran Cemetery after the services.
Crisp Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Simonds Family.