Gladys Collins

I have faugh a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith...II Timothy 4:7 For Gladys Sturgis Collins, the journey of life began when her parents, Lilbert J. Sturgis and Martha Hayward Sturgis celebrated her birth on December 5th , 1920 in Pocomoke City, Maryland. Her earthly journey completed, Gladys quietly entered into eternal rest on August 27th, 2014 at the Hartley Hall Nursing Home in Pocomoke City, Maryland. Gladys Received her formal education in the public School System in Pocomoke City, Maryland. In 1941, “Glat” ( As she was lovingly called) married Walter J. Collins. Although there were no biological children, they served as parents for her younger siblings, especially Linwood and Mary. Gladys was very devoted to her family. After the death of her sister Millie, Glat took responsibility of raising Millie’s daughter, Diane and was like a grandmother to Diane’s children, she was always there helping with the needs of her parents and siblings and anyone else who needed her. At an early age, Gladys was employed by “ Mason’s Cannery” in Pocomoke. Around 1941 she moved to Philadelphia and worked various jobs starting with the Haverford Laundry”. Her final employer was the “ Federal Government”; (The Veterans Hospital and the United States Postal, Service from which she retired in 1983). Gladys began her relationship with God at an early age at the “House of Jacob” in Princess Ann, Maryland where she was baptized. (the Sturgis family was a community joke because they traveled about 15 miles on bicycles to attend church). Around 1957, Gladys joined John Wesley United Methodist church (now Wharton-Wesley United Methodist Church) under the pastorate of the late Reverend Miles. She served as a “ Unit Leader”, a member of the United Methodist Women and also, while they were in existence, the “ Willing Workers”. Gladys worked faithfully wherever she was needed until her health began to decline. Because of her desire to see young people get an education , Gladys joined the “Stephen Long Guild” (The Guild) , an organization that gave scholarships to college bound minority students in Pocomoke. She helped to organize many fundraisers, but her baby was the “Stay at Home Tea”. With Gladys’ help and many others, the Guild was able to give over $80,000.00 in scholarships and an endowment in the amount of $15,000.00 to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Gladys loved to travel. She visited several places of interest in the United States, traveled to the Bahamas and Canada. But the trip that gave her the most joy was her journey on a cruise; she won a prize for the most original costume. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J. Collins, her mother and father; three brothers, Gaston, Earl and Robert, and two sisters, Myrtle and Millie. She leaves to cherish her memories, one brother, Linwood J. Sturgis, Sr. of Pocomoke City, Maryland; three sisters, Mable Dennison, Martha Myers, and Mary White, all of Philadelphia; a niece and two great nieces Diane Stubbs, Darnell Gloria Alexander and Gail Hope Jones, all of Houston, Texas and a special friend who was like a sister, Mildred Smith; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lovingly Submitted , The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys Collins, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Gladys Collins

December 5, 1920 - August 27, 2014