"Get the most from each hour, each day, and each age of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence and back without regrets" - S. H. Payer

Gladys Bowen Thomas died at The Commons at Brightmore on Saturday, March 1, 2008.

She spent most of her life in Burgaw and Carolina Beach. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Thomas.

She is survived by her daughters, Gladys Anderson (Wright) and Mary Lee "Kitsy" Lackey (Walt) both of Wilmington; her brother Frank H. Bowen (Frances) of Carolina Beach; and sisters, Janie Pridgen (A.H.) of Atkinson and Margaret Carver of Greensboro. She was extremely proud of her five grandchildren who have grown to be very successful young adults: Julie Anderson Daughtry (Van) of Raleigh, Wendy Anderson Attmore (George) of Alpharetta, Ga., Katie Anderson of Baton Rouge, La., Travis Lackey (Anna) and Kyle Lackey both of Wilmington. She spent delightful days in the last two years getting to know her great-grandson, Gray Attmore.

Gladys Thomas worked all of her life, first on farms and then for the government. She began issuing ration cards during WW II then moved to managing the Selective Service System, better known as the draft office. After the draft ended she became one of the first Title I reading tutors hired in Pender County. She loved teaching children to read.

Her retirement years were spent doing volunteer work on Carolina Beach. She attributed her longevity and happiness to "getting up every day and doing something for someone else".

A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Burgaw Cemetery with The Rev. Richard Elliott officiating.

The family will receive friends at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 506 S. McNeil St. in Burgaw on Monday immediately following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to Pender County Historical Society, PO Box 1380, Burgaw, NC 28425, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, PO Box 841, Burgaw, NC 28425 or to Kure Memorial Lutheran Church, PO Box 1, Kure Beach, NC 28449.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.