Gladys Hargis

Gladys Hargis, age 85, died May 31, 2017 in Topeka. Born in Benton, Arkansas, Gladys was the youngest of eight children of George and Hattie Thompson. She was raised in Hoyt. In 1949 she married Warren "Shorty" Hargis in Holton.

In addition to being a homemaker, Gladys shouldered most of the child-rearing and pet care duties, as Warren was frequently away from home as a City of Topeka firefighter. Gladys also worked at Santa Fe, Kansas Neurological Institute, and the Kansas State Hospital, and was a school bus driver for Auburn/Washburn School District 437 for many years. She and Warren also were foster parents to fifteen foster children.

She was a member of Northland Christian Church, a bowling league and the Firefighters' Ladies Auxiliary for many years. Gladys enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, cross-word puzzles, Scrabble, reading, and trips to the casino, as well as vacationing by automobile all over the United States to visit relatives and see the sights. She loved to tell stories, frequently embellishing the same story a variety of ways with each telling, usually ending with something humorous and then laughing uproariously.

Because she was a woman of strong Christian faith, Gladys loved everybody. She wrote two books following a near-death experience (You Live Forever and Land Beyond the Veil) chronicling her communication with angels and what she experienced while in a coma. The books commanded a strong following all over the world.

Gladys is survived by her children William (Tammy) Hargis, Topeka, and foster daughter Sandy Moses, her sisters Joy Law and Grace Goodnow, numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Warren, her brothers John Thompson, Mark Thompson, Carroll Thompson, and Lee Thompson, and sister Margaret Thompson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Northland Christian Church in Topeka.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Arthritis Foundation National Office,1355 Peachtree St NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309, in memory of Gladys Hargis.

The family wishes to extend our thanks to all who were Gladys's friends, colleagues, and neighbors, participating in and sharing the life of this unique and loving personality.

Celebration of Life will be on July 15th at 11:00 AM. It will be held at Nothland Christian Church.