Gladys Beckner Webster

Gladys Beckner Webster passed into the arms of her loving Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday evening, April 9, 2025.

She was born September 16, 1934 in Franklin County, Va., the daughter of Covie Beckner and Gillie Holt Beckner. She married Tinsley Edward Webster on July 27, 1951, sharing nearly 72 years of marriage together in Franklin County before his passing in 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sisters, 15 half-siblings and one great-grandson, Garth Webster.

Left to cherish her memory are her son Tinsley Edward Webster, Jr. and wife Penny; daughter Dulcie Hankins and husband Matt; grandchildren Gina (Patrick) Rakestraw; Chad (Stephine) Webster; Brent (Destiny) Webster; Mary Grace (Matt) Bouldin; Michael Hankins; Marjorie Hankins; great-grandchildren Jaren, Audrey and Olivia Rakestraw; Easton, Dannan, Savannah, McKinley and Piper Webster; Emery and Deacon Webster; Henry and Charlie Bouldin; sister, Pearl Gardner; special nieces and nephews.

Gladys was an exceptional homemaker. She designed the house she and Tinsley shared. She was an outstanding cook, and enjoyed until her very latest years the opportunity to fix and enjoy a family meal on Sundays. She canned all varieties of fruits and vegetables, especially jams and jellies. The arrival of her fried green apples, fried apple pies, peach cobbler, or homemade bread were always anxiously anticipated by friends and family and at church gatherings. She and Tinsley sold produce for many years at the Rocky Mount Farmers Market, raised chickens for market, and operated their own orchard from their property looking out over Cahas Mountain. She was an expert apple picker and grader.

Gladys was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and sister. Her two children were born 20 years apart, which led to an extended motherhood.

She only really smiled when she truly liked or enjoyed something, particularly in family gatherings. She didn’t like most photos of herself, preferring to keep the focus on others rather than herself. She enjoyed keeping up with friends and family with phone calls, letters and cards. She relished the opportunity to feed her family at holidays, and to teach others the art of canning, food preservation and gardening. She loved and studied birds, and could name most of the species she saw or heard from her back porch. She enjoyed feeding birds at her backyard feeder, and especially enjoyed watching the hummingbirds dance through the air outside her kitchen window.

She supported educational and community causes through Boones Mill Elementary School and 4-H Extension. She was noted for her sewing, quilt-making, crochet and needle craft.

She was a faithful member of Fairmont Baptist Church, where she served as a leader of the Women’s Society of Christian Fellowship, a Sunday School teacher, a member of pastor search committees, and the Care Committee in service to her fellow Christians.

A graveside service will be held Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Fairmont Baptist Church, 1669 Bethlehem Road, conducted by Pastor Tom Nestor with interment in the Fairmont Baptist Church Cemetery. Family will serve as pallbearers. A light meal celebrating Gladys' life will follow in the church fellowship hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairmont Baptist Church, 1669 Bethlehem Road, Boones Mill, VA 24065.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to the administration and staff at Skyline Nursing & Rehab of Floyd, Va., for their kindness and care of Gladys.