Gladys Bloodworth

Mrs. Gladys Austin Bloodworth, 100, passed away peacefully at her home at Wesley on Grand in Des Moines on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Gladys was born in New Castle, PA on February 26, 1923. She was the youngest of 4 children born to Julia and Harry Wilcox. Gladys and her family relocated to Des Moines in the late thirties after some years living in What Cheer. Gladys loved seeing her family at reunions every two years and tending to the agenda. She was a natural organizer and leader. A family favorite memory (and photograph) shows Gladys also known as Aunt Sissy riding the Heritage Carousel in Des Moines during the 2018 reunion.

Gladys was a dear friend to many. She had a kind and generous soul and loved to laugh. She will be fondly remembered by those who knew her for her loving spirit, her compassionate way of life and her delightful sense of humor. Gladys was also the historian for Grace United Methodist Church, Wesley on Grand, and her family.

Gladys was a decades long member of Grace United Methodist Church where she worshiped and served; she was a long-time secretary for the church. Gladys was also the historian for Grace United Methodist Church, Wesley on Grand, and her family.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Julia Wilcox; siblings, Romeo Wilcox, Bernice Wilcox Reed, and Donald Wilcox; her husbands, Theodore Austin and Reverend Marion Bloodworth; niece, Anne Reed McLean; nephew, Alan Wilcox; and great-grandnephews, Dean Campbell and Zachary Greenough.

Gladys is survived by 36 nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great grand-nieces and nephews; she was, to all of them, their beloved Aunt Sissy.

Services will be held Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Wesley on Grand, 3520 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa in the auditorium.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the family in loving memory of Gladys Bloodworth.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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