Gladys M. Vance1

b. 4 May 1937, d. 24 January 2017
Gladys M. Vance sullivan
Deceased Jan. 24, 2017
Married
Kevin Sullivan
Class of '53
Gladys Vance Sullivan
Deceased Jan. 24, 2017
     Gladys M. Vance was born on 4 May 1937. As of 14 June 1957,her married name was Sullivan. She married Kevin Sullivan on 14 June 1957 at Funkstown, Washington, Md. She died on 24 January 2017 at age 79; Gladys Vance Sullivan, 79
MAY 4, 1937-JAN. 24, 2017
Gladys Vance SullivanIt is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Gladys M. Vance Sullivan. Gladys entered heaven’s gates on Jan. 24, 2017, at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, Md.
Born on May 4, 1937, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of William and Elva May Wilson Vance.
She graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1955. After marrying and starting a family, she returned to school to accomplish her dream of becoming a teacher. She attended Hagerstown Junior College (now Hagerstown Community College), where she earned an associate degree in 1973, followed by Shepherd College (University) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974, and lastly, Shippensburg University, where she earned a master’s degree in education in 1978. Gladys taught elementary school for 30 years in the Washington County Public Schools system. She taught at Funkstown, Bester, Eastern and Williamsport Elementary schools.
She was passionate about family, education, and the Lord. She lived her life setting goals and making plans. After retiring from the school system, she graduated in May 2006 with a certification in church leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She also attended classes at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa. She was a lay speaker in local churches. With her inquisitiveness, she enjoyed lifelong learning with many interests, such as “Disciple” courses, Dale Carnegie Leadership training and classes at the Academy for Lifelong Learning at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, Md. She was a member of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum and the Retired Teachers Association.
During her children’s childhoods, she was a Cub Scout pack leader and a Brownie Scout leader. She and her husband, Kevin, square danced for many years with the Westernaires Club. She enjoyed traveling and family trips to Myrtle Beach. Her favorite place to enjoy God’s handiwork was at Tilghman Island, Md., along the Chesapeake Bay. She also expressed her patriotism for America proudly. She had a strong faith and loved studying the Bible daily. She traveled to Israel in 1999 and was baptized in the Jordan River. Her family is extremely proud of her accomplishments, enthusiasm for life, and her dedication to family and friends.
Gladys is survived by her husband of 59 years, seven months, Kevin Sullivan, whom she married on June 14, 1957. She is also survived by two children, her son, Matthew Sullivan and his wife, Suzanne, of Boonsboro, Md., and her daughter, Dawn Sullivan Gipe and her husband, Timothy, of Greencastle, Pa. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Kalina Gipe and Zandra Sullivan. Additional survivors are one sister, Claudine Harbaugh, and three brothers, Charles (Pal) Vance, Richard Vance and Ronald (Lee) Vance, all of Hagerstown. She is also survived by in-laws, Xandra Lou and Ben Werthan of Madison, Conn., William and Sally Sullivan of South Port, N.C., and Gregory and Vicky Sullivan of Funkstown.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Madeline Keeney, Marjorie Slusher, Sondra Vance, Vanna Hartman and Donna Kennedy, and three brothers, William Vance, Steven Michael Vance and Philip Vance.
Gladys will be remembered for her love of the Lord, her enthusiasm and passion for her family.
The family will receive friends Friday, Jan. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 802 Summit Ave., Hagerstown. The Rev. Randy Reid will officiate. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Emmanuel U.M. Church.
A verse that Gladys believed and lived was 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight on for God. Hold tightly to the eternal life which God has given you.”
Online condolences are accepted at www.minnichfh.com.

Citations

  1. A 50th wedding anniversary luncheon was held honoring Kevin and Gladys Sullivan of Funkstown, Sunday, June 24, 2007, at Hagerstown Elks Lodge ballroom. More than 60 family and friends attended, including guests from Connecticut, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

    The event was hosted by their children, their children's spouses and the Sullivan's granddaughters: Matthew, Suzanne and Zandra Sullivan of Boonsboro and Dawn, Timothy and Kalina Gipe of Greencastle, Pa.

    Before the luncheon, the Rev. Jerry Lowans gave the blessing. Other clergy attending included friend and fellow educator, the Rev. Fred Gross. Music from the 1950s was provided by Dwayne Metzer, including a vocal solo of a favorite song. A multimedia slide show of 50 years of memories was presented. Their children shared family memories and presented their parents with a greeting from U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster. They also received a U.S. flag, which was flown over the Capitol on June 14 in their honor.

    The Sullivans were married June 14, 1957, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Funks-town by the Rev. George S. Bowden.

    Mr. Sullivan is the son of the late Dr. William Sullivan and Mrs. William Roy Hudson. He served two years in the U.S. Army and graduated with a Bachelor of Sociology from Frostburg State University. He retired from Mack Trucks Inc. and is self-employed.

    Mrs. Sullivan is the daughter of the late William and Elva May Vance. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Shepherd College and a Master of Education from Shippensburg University. She retired from Washington County Public Schools after teaching elementary school for 30 years. She also graduated in May 2006 with a certification in church leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. She enjoys lay speaking in local churches and is attending classes at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa.