Gladys Marie (Allison) Tyler

“If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)

If you knew Gladys, you knew that she loved God. She had a way of showing a love that did not always agree with what you wanted to hear or believe, but she didn’t try to hide the truth of who she really was. She was loved by many and lived to the fullest the life God had planned for her.

Born to young parents, she was the oldest of four children and because the second child came a year after she was born, Gladys had little time to claim the sole attention of her parents. She often referred to herself as her parents’ “Flower Child.” She said it with love and admiration. Growing up with other siblings who came sooner than she probably expected and desired, she found her place as first in the family by developing a close relationship with her father, Hosea. Gladys was a “Daddy’s Girl.” She was so close to him that he obliged her in her efforts to learn things that perhaps an older son would learn. Being close to him, she even learned how to help him with simple auto repairs. One might describe her as extremely inquisitive and very intelligent. Her mother, Eva, fostered her interests by making sure she learned how to do what were considered “girl” things.

Gladys accepted Christ at an early age; she knew and trusted God. She knew He carried her through her most difficult times and through her sickness. She was a proud member of First Fruit Nondenominational Church under the leadership of Pastor Glenn Sherwood.

Gladys was an excellent seamstress and meticulous cook, and she often mentioned that her work at Texas Instruments and other similar experiences in jobs that required quality control expertise made her adept at detecting details. Her quick eye could espy a construction that was faulty or flawed. Though she was successful in completing cosmetology school and worked for several years, the chemicals and processes used in this field of hair care became detrimental to her health, and she could not continue.

During the early years, with the help of two dear friends, Brenda Sexton and Pat Erskines, Gladys would meet her soulmate and husband, Billy Bob Tyler. She continued to grieve the tragic loss.  She kept his memories in the forefront and often spoke of him. She yearned for the day she would be able to see him again. Comfortably in the arms of God, they are now united once again.  

As a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, Gladys spent her last years enjoying spending time with those who became her life's precious, sweet joys and inspirations. Loving them, talking to them, and seeing them through FaceTime when she could not be with them in person made her life more comfortable and peaceful. The grandchildren became the fuel that kept her light burning from day to day. They will miss their “GiGi,” as she developed a strong bond with them that even death cannot sever.

We all shall miss Ms. Gladys. God knew her better than anyone else, and He knew what was best, despite our sorrow. She loved the Lord and was an avid reader of His Word. Knowing how much she loved God lets us know how much she loved her brothers and sisters. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hosea and Eva Allison; her two brothers, Robert Gene and Hosea Jr.; and her loving daughter, Joanette Rachelle Stringer.  She is survived by her loving and caring sister, Nadine McDaniel (Monroe); her sister-in-law, Cynthia Allison; her two daughters, Charlotte (Floyd) and Marie Ann (dearest friend, Byron); her three grandchildren - Lakendra, Deshaundria, and Eva; her three great-grands - Tyler, Kyleigh, and Zahir; and her adopted family who knew her as “Grandma” - Eva Moore, Morgan, Shamesha, Haskins, and Dennis Amadi, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.