Gladys Estellene James1

b. 27 May 1919, d. 13 February 2008
George and Gladys (James) Keys
photo courtesy Martha Keys
FatherHarvey L. James2 b. 1895, d. 1979
MotherMartha McKinley McVey3 b. 1896, d. 1984
Birth27 May 1919 Gladys Estellene James was born on 27 May 1919 in Washington County, Virginia.4,5 
  Her early childhood was spent in several locations but in 1929 they settled in Abingdon, on Fruit Hill, as it was called at the time. Gladys graduated from William King High School in 1938. 
Marriage10 May 1937 She married George Graham Keys Jr., son of George Graham Keys and Mae Taylor Allison, on 10 May 1937 in Bristol, Tennessee.6 
  Following their marriage the couple lived with Gladys's parents in the house on Fruit Hill. However, in 1960 George and Gladys and their daughter Martha moved into a new house just down the hill.5 
  Gladys studied electronic assembly at a local trade school and began working at Raytheon in 1953. She retired in 1981.

After Gladys and George were both retired they built a home in Florida, which they enjoyed until George died, splitting their time between there and Virginia. 
  George was very interested in genealogy, a hobby that Gladys did not always find as fascinating as he did. But later in life she too caught the bug. In the 90's Gladys and Martha took a family trip to Oklahoma and Kansas to find long lost Wedding cousins and visit cemeteries.

Gladys loved flower gardening, especially roses, and passed that love to her daughter. She also loved being "on the hill". She and Martha shared many pleasant hours just sitting together, and watching and listening to the birds. She also loved going to auctions, finding furniture and then refinishing it.

Martha remembers her mother with much love and comments that she was a very independent woman, and a wonderful role model.5 
Death13 Feb 2008 Gladys died on 13 Feb 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee, at age 88.4 
Burial She was buried at Greenfield Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.7 

Related Links and Images:

George and Gladys Keys stone in Greenfield Cemetery

Family

George Graham Keys Jr. b. 15 Nov 1916, d. 4 May 2002
Child
  • Martha Mae Keys8
Last Edited1 Jan 2009

Citations

  1. [S622] Martha Keys, "Ramblingroots p5418," e-mail to Diana Powell, 28 Sept. 2005. Martha is the daughter of George Graham Keys Jr. and Gladys James.
  2. [S1298] Harvey James tombstone, Greenfield Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, photographed August 2005 by Martha Keys.
  3. [S1298] Martha M. James tombstone, Greenfield Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, photographed August 2005 by Martha Keys.
  4. [S1341] Gladys Keys obituary, Bristol Herald-Courier, 15 Feb. 2008.
  5. [S16] Gladys (James) Keys biographical information shared in loving memory by her daughter, Martha Keys.
  6. [S622] Martha Keys, "Ramblingroots p5416," e-mail to Diana Powell, 28 Sept. 2005. Martha is the daughter of George Graham Keys Jr. and Gladys James.
  7. [S1298] Greenfield Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia.
  8. [S622] Martha Keys, "Ryburns and Allisons," e-mail to Diana Powell, 4 March 2003.