Gladys Irene Neal was born April 16, 1937 in Whiteville, NC. She was the third of three daughters and fifth of six children born to the late John Henry and Laura Jane (Gore) Murphy.

Gladys accepted Christ at an early age at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Whiteville, NC. She was educated in Whiteville Public Schools and was graduated from Central High School in 1955. She relocated to Baltimore, Maryland to pursue a career in Nursing. Having successfully completed her training, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Sinai Hospital, South Baltimore General Hospital, and Maxim Health Care Agency. She enjoyed this profession for 50 years at which time she retired.

She was united in holy matrimony to Ernest Neal, the love of her life, March 10, 1961 and they attended Faith Baptist Church.  This union was blessed with two children, Ronald Thomas, and Amy Chenita Neal. There was an unforeseen change in their plans, and she was widowed at the young age of 34 and with God’s help, raised their two children. God always allows the sun to shine, and she was given the second love of her life, her grandson, Joshua Thomas Chandler whom she adored and trained to be the sensitive, intelligent young man he is today.

Gladys continued to grow in her faith, and she was baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost under the pastorate of Bishop Earl Carter of Shiloh United Church of Jesus Christ, Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to moving to Ohio, she joined Apostolic Bible Study Church under the pastorate of Suffragan Bishop Arthur Coleman, Sr. where she remained until 2012.   After moving to Cleveland, she joined Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, now known as City of Hope Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Lee P. Christian, Jr., where she was a faithful member until her passing.

As proficient and caring as Gladys was in the nursing profession, she excelled in her love of retail therapy. She considered herself the Queen of Thrift Shopping aka Ms. Nifty Thrifty. She made thrift shopping converts at the doctor’s office, in the grocery store, at the bank, and wherever smart shoppers were found. She often said, the thrill is in the hunt, and she could spot a good location afar off.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Neal; her son, Ronald; and her five siblings; Weldon, Edward, Annie Pearson, Sylvan, and Zilphia Hall.

She leaves to cherish her memories and her legacy: Daughter, Evangelist Amy C. Neal; grandson, Joshua Chandler; best friend, Evangelist Ynetha Plummer; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.