Gladys Thompson

Reverend Gladys Cannon Thompson, daughter of the late Johnnie Hasker and Sadie Penn Cannon, was born in Newberry, South Carolina on October 20 ^th , 1937.  She departed this life on February 25, 2022.

Gladys was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. At a very young age, she confirmed her Christian faith and began to glorify God in song. She attended Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and graduated from Second Ward High School.  After graduation she married Howard Thompson.  He preceded her in death.

Gladys attended Central Piedmont Community College where she received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapy.  Upon graduation, she enjoyed many years of employment as a physical therapist.  Her caring and nurturing spirit created many lasting bonds with her medical community, patients and their families.

She continued to share her sweet spirit of caring and sharing as she fostered special bonds with her co-workers and students during her employment with Johnson C. Smith University.  As a circulation and reserve library assistant, many of her work-study students adopted her as their campus mom.

Gladys accepted her call into ministry and preached her trial sermon at Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church on January 30, 1983.  On June 4, 1989, she was ordained.   Gladys loves the Lord. Although soft-spoken, she was never shy about sharing God’s goodness, mercy and grace.

Mourning her loss are sister, Johnnie Mae Cannon; son, John Howard Thompson and daughter, Tamara Octavia Thompson; a host of family, extended family, and friends.