Obituary of Gladys (Ada) Whitten Shealy

Gladys (Ada) Whitten Shealy, of Lexington, South Carolina, died in Columbia, South Carolina on December 24, 2023 at the age of 101.  Gladys resided at a nursing home upon her death, where she was frequently visited by her loving family. 

Born in Red Bank, South Carolina in 1922 to William Lee Backman and Cora Shull Backman, she was the fifth child in a family of eight siblings. Gladys was only able to attend school until she was 14, at which time her mother, Cora passed away and she began staying home to care for her three younger siblings.  

Gladys was married to George Coley Whitten, Sr. in 1941 and had seven children.  She worked as a spooler at Olympia Mill until her retirement in 1974.  She enjoyed gardening, the color blue, and listening to country music, but more importantly, she loved her family and always wanted to make you a plate of food and give you a bye hug. Granny, as all her grandchildren called her, made the best coconut cake and could whip up a mean pan of biscuits!  Caring for kids, cooking, cleaning, and a green thumb are words that come to mind when remembering her. 

She was predeceased by her husbands, George C. Whitten, Sr. and Charles Shealy, by her four older brothers, a son, Paul W. Whitten, grandson, John T. Swearingen, and granddaughter, Grace Whittaker.  She is survived by three younger siblings, six children, 19 grandchildren, 33 great-grands, 10 great-great-grands and numerous nieces and nephews!

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on January 16, 2024 at New Life Baptist Church, 2825 Ashland Rd, Columbia, SC 29210.  In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Life Care Center of Columbia, 2514 Faraway Dr, Columbia, SC 29223.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.