.
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.