Glenda Faye Gilley Gravitte

Glenda Faye Gilley Gravitte passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on October 15, 1944 to John William and Ida Rosella (Brinkley) Gilley and raised in the South Westfield Community.

 Glenda was more than a mother, sister and friend- she was the most genuine and kind person with the best sense of humor! She was a great cook and loved preparing meals for her family-her deviled eggs were the best! She was an amazing writer and had creative talents that were known by those closest to her. Her greatest talents, however, were making others feel uniquely loved and would often say, “never forget the special person that you are!”. Her appreciation and joy for life and those she loved was so strong and set an example for so many for generations to come.

Glenda Faye, as she was affectionately called, attended Westfield School, was a Westfield Wildcats cheerleader, spelling bee champion and top of her class for many years. She was in the first graduating class at East Surry High School, in 1962. She worked at Thrift Savings and Loan in Downtown Mount Airy, was a homemaker raising five children and she also worked outside of the home once her children were grown.

Glenda always worked hard and was dedicated to making life better for her children: Sons Robert Jones (Paula); Mark Allen; Gregory "Greg" Hylton (Angie); Dr. John Lucas "Luke" Gravitte (Mandy); and daughter Rosela Amanda Gravitte Fretwell (Scott). She was preceded in death by an infant son, Cranford Aaron.

As a mother and grandmother, Glenda somehow always knew the right words to say and when to say them. She always had a positive, inspiring attitude and was full of compliments for others. She loved her grandchildren and her legacy will grow with them and the generations beyond: Dr. Laura Phelps, Ashley Baity, Mark Jr., Thomas, Tyler, Taylor, Aaron and Ellison. She adored her great-grandchildren (10 and growing) and always had special treats when they visited her at her farm house (Grandma never forgot treats for the family dogs, too!).

Throughout the years, Glenda set an example of selflessness and generosity not only for her children, but for others, too. Her random acts of kindness were daily. For many years, she loved preparing seasonal gift bags for her local Meals-on-Wheels and homebound recipients. A true humble giver, Glenda always sought out anonymous ways to help others and found joy in doing so in many meaningful ways and whenever there was an opportunity or need. She especially loved sharing her Mother’s perennial pink Mexican Primrose flowers, too.

She loved nature - from feeding wildlife at the farm, going outside at night to see the dark sparkling night sky or a full moon, to lightning bugs in the summertime and the Blazing Autumn maple trees turning in fall. She loved being at home on the front porch at her farm house as much as she enjoyed trips with family to Hawaii. A longtime Elvis fan, on Glenda’s first trip to Memphis, she was a guest DJ on Elvis SiriusXM, known as “Graceland Glenda”! She loved listening to ‘Cousin Andy’ each morning on 98.1fm WBRF and requesting one of her favorite songs to be played on the radio.

Glenda was always open and honest and could “TCB” (Taking Care of Business) - getting things done like no one else. In 2018, after much perseverance, Glenda accepted the Purple Heart award for her father’s service in WWI. Federal, state and local officials and family and friends gathered for the special dedication event and Glenda was especially proud of this achievement to have her father honored posthumously.

She loved and enjoyed simple moments and would often remind loved ones of the importance of taking notes and “take time to stop and smell the roses”. Being together with family was where she loved to be and she made every moment joyful with her full heart of love and gratitude - she instilled that love of family into each of her children. She loved her Gilley homeplace and found joy driving the quiet country roads of her childhood while visiting relatives.

Welcoming Glenda Faye into Heaven are her son and parents; siblings Earlie, Cecil, Melverine Cooke, Ray, Wade, Rex, Caleb Reid (C.R.); an infant sister Hazel Mozelle and many special friends and family.

Surviving are many special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Our Mother could make even the mundane magnificent and was the bright light in our lives. To her beauty inside and out, as Waylon and Jessi sang, “you make the sun want to shine”. Her presence will forever be missed and her memory always preserved with love.