Funeral service for Gladys May Sharpton, age 86, of Cullman, will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home with Scott Sessions officiating; interment in Hopewell Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. There will be an additional viewing from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Sharpton passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at Hanceville Nursing Home. She was born June 10, 1937, in Spilsby, England, to George Wardell Parker and Edith Hildred Parker.
Mrs. Sharpton was a member at Friendship Baptist Church and later at the First Church of the Nazarene in Cullman.
Gladys loved her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have such fond memories of her love and care. She was such an important part of her family’s lives.
Gladys worked for many years as secretary and bookkeeper for Townson Electric and Quality Electric; both family businesses. She was known for her kind and gentle spirit that she portrayed in her work and everyday life. She loved people and was able to converse with all types. She held an abundance of Godly wisdom from her study of the Bible. She would tell them about God’s love and acceptance. She would write letters to some who were in prison. She served faithfully in her church in many areas. She was generous and gave to so many. She was a wonderful cook and took food to many families over the years. Hobbies that she enjoyed included sewing, cooking, walking, canning, planting a vegetable garden, playing the organ and piano at church, and singing in the church choir.
Margaret, her best friend, was the closest to her. Both were raised in East Kirby, England, where they grew up and became close. They both married Americans and came to the United States. They shared life’s journeys in so many ways. Gladys had the rare opportunity of finding a true life-long friend of kindred spirit who was a true blessing.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Jeremy Townson, and sister, Dorothy Midgley.
Survivors include her husband, Wilburn Sharpton; sons, Anthony (Wanda) Townson and Terry (Christing) Townson; grandchildren, Andrew (Melissa) Townson, Nathan (Jessica) Townson, Michael Townson, Rachel (James) Carman, Rebekah (J.C.) Hildreth, Tessa (Taylor) Stinson, and Grace Townson; great-grandchildren, Isabelle Townson, Salora Townson, Arpita Townson, Sophia Hildreth, Mia Hildreth, Elizabeth Townson, and two on the way; niece, Yvonne Barley; nephew, Andrew Midgley; and best friend, Margaret (David) Winfree.
