Gladys Jeter was born on March 14, 1926 in Coldwater, Mississippi to Will Jeter and Iola Gordon. Affectionately referred to as "Plunie" by her siblings, was also called "Madea" by her children, and "Dea" by her grandchildren.

Gladys would meet and marry Louis Matthews, whom was born James Louis Guy, a Seaman First Class in the United States Navy. The couple started a life and bore their 10 children in Mississippi. Gladys later moved the family to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she took care of her children, friends children, and neighbors children.

Mrs. Matthews became a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church under Rev. W.T. Lauderdale. She served on the Mother Board and Pricilla Circle. She was a very faithful member until she was overcome by her illness. She loved babies very much. They seemed to bring light into her eyes. She also loved to cook. You could always find a good soul food meal on her stove. One of her favorite pastimes was taking care of her live plants and flowers, and enjoyed a good cup of hot cappuccino. But the main thing she loved most is her 10 children, and their offspring. She made them all feel that they were her favorite.

The Lord whispered in her ear early Tuesday Morning, September 25, 2012 and called her to her final rest. She leaves to cherish her memory eight daughters: Geraldine Boyd, Annie Laskey (James), Zelma Tate (Leonard), Alice Matthews, Linda Matthews, all of Tulsa, OK., Betty Millier (Willie), Coldwater, MS., Joe Ann Chandler, Senatobia, MS., Helen Matthews, Oklahoma City, OK., two sons: Robert L. Matthews (Velma), Melvin C. Matthews (Lois), three sisters: Juanita McAdory, Coldwater, MS., Jean Cooper (Charles), Eau Claire, MI., Minor May McAdory, Coldwater, MS., one brother, James McAdory, Coldwater, MS., along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. Mrs. Matthews was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Iola, her husband, Mr. Louis Matthews, two sisters, Julia Watts, and Arnice Warnell, and one brother, Sidney Gordon.

The Service of Remembrance for Mrs. Matthews will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the Gethsemane Baptist Church, with the Pastor, Reverend W. T. Lauderdale officiating.

Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma at 2:00 PM.

You may visit her as she slumbers at the funeral home in Tulsa on Tuesday from 12 Noon to 6 PM.