Gladys Evelyn Kendrick (Herndon)'s Obituary
Gladys Evelyn (Herndon) Kendrick
Gladys was born Dec. 26, 1932 in Culdesac, Idaho and passed away Oct. 27, 2017 surrounded by family at St Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, WA after suffering a stroke.
Gladys grew up on the family farm in Culdesac the youngest of six children. After losing her mother to illness at the young age of 7 she was surrounded by the love of her family and grew up in a care free life learning to love what God had provided. Music and creativity filled a hard working family farm home.
After graduating from high school she worked in the public library and later met her husband Bob Kendrick who was stationed at Fairchild Airforce Base in Spokane. She fell in love with his curly hair and Southern accent. She would often joke that he lost both. The married Jan. 3, 1954 and began their marriage in Spokane, WA where their oldest son, Chad, was born. They later moved to Kennewick, WA when her husband was working for Sears. Their second son, Brad, was born. After a final move to Tacoma, WA their welcomed their daughter, Kendra.
As she was raising their children as a “stay at home” mom she worked the playground at Fern Hill Elem. and began volunteering with the PTA. She move up the local PTA and eventually became Tacoma Council President earning the Golden Acorn Award.
After following her 3 children around to different activities and sports she and Bob began volunteering with the Fern Hill Neighborhood Group. The worked on the development of the local park on the corner of 84th and Yakima. She was also asked to lend her talents in conjunction with others to the mural that is on the side of the Fern Hill Library.
She has touched the lives of so many over the years as just a quiet, loving soul. She is proceeded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents and siblings. She leaves behind her children Chad (Lisa), Brad, Kendra(Robert), her grandchildren Shawna, Adriane, Cassidy, Megan, Cierra and Jessica, and great grandchildren Shelbi, Journey, Kolton, Bobbie, Draven, Gage and Jordan. She also leaves behind her loving nieces and nephews and her favorite sister-law Laverne.
A Celebration of Life will held be Sat. Nov 4, 2017 at 2:00 at Hope Community Church, 158 So 46th St, Tacoma, WA 98418. In lieu of flowers please drive by Brew it 4 You coffee shop on Pacific Avenue and buy a Chai Latte or a Mocha in her remembrance – don’t forget to tip!
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