Mrs. Gladys Winford Stephenson

. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 26, at Douthit Memorial Gladys Irene Winford Stephenson, a wife, mother, foster mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, 85 years young, of Forsyth County, Winston- Salem, NC, quietly and peacefully made her transition on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in the early morning hours at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center to be with her Lord and Savior. She was born on July 31, 1939, in Rowan County, Salisbury, NC, to the union of the late Arthur Leroy Winford, Sr., and Novella Moriah Currence Winford. From their union of six children, she was blessed to be the oldest sibling of four sisters and one brother. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Novella Winford, Sr.; son Clark Arthur Stephenson; daughter-in-law Maria (Malou) Luisa Caballes-Stephenson; brother Arthur (Billy) Leroy Winford, Jr.; sister Arthur Mae Winford Rice; brother-in-law Lloyd Miller; and special friend Charles Dalton. Gladys was educated in the Guilford County public schools in Greensboro, NC, and graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1958. Upon completion of high school, she married the love of her life, Roosevelt Stephenson, on June 14, 1958, and enjoyed 65 wonderful and fulfilling years together. To their union they had five children: three boys and two girls. She would later pursue advanced courses to receive certification that would lead her to vast opportunities and a long, enriched life. Gladys explored multiple job sectors. She was employed by DuPont for a short period until she went back to school to become a processor at Wachovia Bank, serving 14 years until her retirement. She was a connoisseur of many talents and used her gifts to serve the community as a seamstress like her mother, Novella; as a caregiver babysitting; as a housekeeper; as a wedding/event planner; and as a food and service caterer making delicious meals and desserts. She also assisted her husband, Roosevelt, with grounds/lawn maintenance and other miscellaneous work-related tasks that they did as a part-time hobby. Gladys is remembered by her husband, Roosevelt, as a loving, considerate, and supportive wife and mother who took care of their homestead and managed their affairs so they could afford to live a comfortable life and enjoy the luxury things that life had to offer. He recalls many memorable moments of their life, including how brilliant, witty, and hardworking she was and how she was an expert navigator of roads and highways, making her his favorite driver. He remembers the many trips he took with their children, her siblings, and friends, including various camping adventures, traveling in motorhomes, tent/dry camping, and cabin living, in addition to many more adventurous excursions around the nation and beyond. His love for her has been and will always be unwavering, and he is truly blessed and thankful for their union. Gladys’s favorite color was green, like money, and her favorite animals were pigs. She owned two as pets when her children were younger. Gladys was a stern and strong-willed woman with class who knew what she wanted out of life. Because of her faith and determination, she was able to build a huge legacy and family. She was true in her faith, walked it with Christ, and had passion in her heart. Her selfless love extended beyond measure, and her smile and energy could light up the room. She enjoyed singing gospel songs and engaging in the musicals of children’s songs. She was an avid artist at heart. She loved to dabble in arts and crafts, play all types of board/online games, travel, wear extravagant apparel, paint her nails, host tea parties and play bingo with her grandchildren, host and attend events, participate in organizations that brought joy and happiness to others, and, most importantly, be a mother and foster mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had a pure heart and took comfort in opening her arms and doors to many she considered her family and friends. Her most rewarding contribution to her legacy was pursuing her passion for extending love as a caregiver. She loved all of God’s children and welcomed them into her home by becoming a foster parent with her husband. Together they nurtured, guided, and cared for over one hundred foster children. Gladys leaves her greatest treasure, a cherished and established legacy of love and memories, to those she is survived by: a devoted, loving, and strong man of faith, her husband of 65 years, Roosevelt Stephenson; four children: Derek Roosevelt Stephenson (Catherine) of Winston-Salem, NC, Evelyn Novella Simmons of Winston-Salem, NC, Gerald Eugene Stephenson (Malou, deceased) of Winston-Salem, NC, and Reverend Doctor Shelia Mae Stephenson of Atlanta, GA. She also extended her love, care, and nurture to raising four additional children: Faizah Allah McClure, Robert (Bobby) Eugene Moore (Laura Lee Moore), Roynette Suber, and Lynn Davis, as well as spreading her love to adopting and raising three additional children as her own who consider themselves her grandchildren and call her grandma: Tamija Lanique Stroud, Ambriayana Mona Young, and Tatayanna Monsha Young, expanding her legacy to 30 grandchildren. Grandchildren: Nikki Montoria Campbell (Priest Jarrold Campbell), Lisa Marie Hudgins-George (Derry Lavone George, Jr.), Felicia Simmons Garner (Raheem Abdul Garner), Reneeka Ashley Dubose, Marquis Dwayne Green (Charnae Lynn Green), Sheldon Simmons, Spencer Simmons (Angelica Hlorgbe), Taylor Shakale Stephenson (Jamon Lenell Brown, Jr.), Autumn Novella Coleen Lipscomb, Sherman Simmons, Tassia Watlington, Hunter Christopher Young, Jericho Jett Stephenson, Sierra Simmons, Sydney Caydence Young, Ortega Watlington, Tavius Watlington, Mayumi Rayne Stephenson, Megan Renee Mingo, Autumn Nicole Moore, Christopher Rashad Moore, Briana Rochelle Moore, Robert Eugene Moore Jr., Dayanah Denise Moore, Summer Lynn Moore, Malita Mondria’ Fulp, and Talyn Watlington; and 26 great-grandchildren: Aaliyah Latoria Stephenson, Trayvone Lavonte George, Alecia Marie George, Preston Howard George, Avanna Anne Marie George, Alanna Mya Marie George, Phaidon Josiah George, London Maraiya Simmons, Phoenix Jace Stephenson, Onyx Bleu Goodine-Stephenson, Paisleé Reine Ingram, Rhyleé Beige Ingram, Zaelyn Kairo Ingram, Zayne Thomas Ingram, Jamon Lenell Brown III, Aspen Joelle Green, Antonio Zishon Winchester, As'Ronae Chanaisia Robertson, Amor Geray Delgado, Dakarai Amaya Leak, Julez Laraya Leak, Julez Lary Leak, Miida Mai'Leah Francisco-Williams, Eden, Juden, and Jhett. She is also survived by three sisters: Evelyn Novella Winford Davis of Albermarle, NC, Mary M. Winford DeGraffenriedt of Greensboro, NC, and Ella Mae (Lloyd, deceased) Winford Miller of Greensboro, NC; two brothers-in-law, James (Jimmy) O. Rice (Arthur Mae, deceased) and Walter Davis, Sr.; one sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Hairston Winford (Billy, deceased); a daughter-in-law, Darlene Cheek Stephenson (Clark, deceased); a special son, Harold Thomas Lipscomb; a special friend, Bonnie Hoffman; a special granddaughter, Deonna Marie Young; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 26, at Douthit's. Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.

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Mrs. Gladys Winford Stephenson

July 31, 1939 - April 12, 2025