Gladys Ruth Smithson, daughter of the late James T. Holland and Laura (Bollenbacher) Holland was born on November 16, 1923 in Ripley County, Missouri and departed this life on December 13, 2018 at Oak Tree Villas in Jefferson City, Missouri at the age of 95 years.

On June 7, 1942, she was united in marriage to Charles Smithson in Doniphan, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on March 30, 1997.

Gladys attended Doniphan High School and later received her GED. For many years she was a homemaker. Over the years, she held various jobs but her favorite was secretary at Dexter High School in the 1960’s where she enjoyed engaging with the students.

She was an active member of the Dexter Church of Christ where she loved teaching bible classes to young people. For many years, she also taught World Bible School correspondence lessons to students in Africa. Throughout her life she had a personal walk with God and left us a legacy of faith.

She lived in Missouri most of her life except for a short period during World War II when she lived in Long Beach, California while Charles served in the Navy. She resided in Dexter for over 40 years until her recent move to Jefferson City.

She loved to read and listen to music, especially gospel and country. She was a joyful cook and shared many home-cooked meals with family, friends, neighbors and those in need.

She was treasured and loved beyond words and lives forever in our hearts. She was warm and giving and lived to help others.  She entertained us with her favorite family stories and lots of laughter. We will always cherish these memories.

Survivors include one daughter, Charlotte Gooch (James) of Jefferson City, Missouri; two grandchildren, Ben Reeser (Becky) and Chris Gooch (Monica); two step-grandchildren, Lauri Ashlock and Jimmy Gooch (Lanette); two great-grandchildren (Paige and Ava) and four step-great-grandchildren (Hailey, Caleb, Sam and Abby); and one sister, Beulah Brewer.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Melissa Reeser; four brothers, Ray, Virgil, Glenn and Ernest Holland; two sisters, Jewel Freeman and Lola Lynxwiler.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  Funeral service will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 11:00 am with Don Bahr officiating.  Interment will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Doniphan, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Children’s Home, Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450.