Gladys entered the world on December 20, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio-arriving just days before Christmas, a precious gift to her family in a season filled with warmth, joy and expectation. As the youngest of nine children, she was raised in a home rich with love, a blessing that would shape the way she nurtured and guided her own family for years to come.

After high school, Gladys married and made a home in Springfield, Ohio. She carried within her a beautiful balance-firm and steady like her mother, yet gentle and calm like her father. Devoted beyond measure, she created a home where love was abundant and ever-present. Her children were her heart and she was theirs.

Gladys embraced life with energy and joy. A spirited woman, she ran track in her younger years and later found happiness playing softball and volleyball alongside her children and friends. She especially loved a good card game-if you ever played against her, you felt that “Boston” when she ran it!

On April 6, 2026, Gladys peacefully entered eternal rest. Though she is no longer with us in body, the love she gave so freely remains-a lasting legacy of strength, warmth and cherished memories that will continue to live on in all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Morrison and Ada Lear Blackwell; her siblings, Christine Fant, Pearl Lewis, Ruth Carter, Dorothy Carpenter, Kenneth Blackwell and Norma Bullock and her beloved son, Robert L. Dodson Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her brothers, Stephen P. Blackwell Sr. and Deacon Marvin Blackwell; her children, William Dodson Jr., Pamela (Kenneth) Peterson, Brint (Cricket) Dodson and Tyrone (Angel) Dodson; her grandchildren, Keyla, Keisha, Andre, Lil Kenny, Crystal, Robert Jr., Shyra and Jamie Sr., Shanice, DeAnte and Catherine, Zayne, Destini, Leilani, Darilyn and Caitlyne; her great grandchildren, Tracey Jr., Cobre, Cobrea, Cobrell, Kalil Kaylani, Malia, DeAndre, Amara, Avah, Aziyah, DeAarion and Lil Bobby, along with a host of nieces, nephews and a special nephew, Gregory Blackwell Sr. and a dear friend, Debra Wade.

Gladys’ life was a blessing-an outpouring of love, joy and quiet grace. Her smile was a light that warmed every heart she touched, and her presence a gift that will be deeply missed.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in the promise that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She now rests in His eternal peace, embraced by His love and reunited with those who have gone before her.

Her race is finished. Her victory is won.

She will forever be loved. She will forever be remembered.

Visitation is Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 12 noon in the Robert C. Henry Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery..