Gladys Faye (Graf) Golden
Gladys Faye (Graf) Golden , 91, passed from this
life to Glory on Jan. 8, 2022, in Arlington, Tx.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66
years, James M. Golden, Sr., who passed on Jan. 8,
2015. They had a blessed full life together loving,
serving, and spreading the love of Jesus whenever
they could.
Gladys was born Dec. 20,1930, in Big Valley,
Tx., to William (Bill) Graf and Bertha (Bettie)
Zwerneman Graf. Gladys and her family moved to
Farmers Valley after her first-grade year. She
graduated from Chillicothe High School where she
was a baton twirler and an All Eagle Girl. Gladys
was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Vernon, Tx. Gladys and James married at
St. Paul on May 8, 1949. They worked together in
the family business Dollar Down Furniture that
would later become Golden’s Furniture. They
enjoyed fishing and welcoming people into their
home. Their immediate and extended family were
their sustained focus and joy throughout their lives. James and Gladys moved to
Arlington in 2007 for health reasons and to be closer to their daughter.
James and Gladys loved the Lord, the St. Paul Lutheran church, their family and
their Vernon community. Gladys lived by her motto which she said often, “Serve
the Lord with gladness.” She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Camp Fire Girls
leader, 4-H chapter leader, docent at Red River Valley Museum, active in Lutheran
Womens Missionary League, and Sirosis Study Club. She also started and lead a
Moms in Prayer group in her home. She and James were active VHS Band
Boosters and enjoyed traveling with the band. Gladys assisted James and her sons
in the Boy Scouts of America.
Gladys is survived by her children James (Jim) Golden, Jr., and Nancy of
Grandbury, Darrel and Mary Ann Schneider of Arlington; and John Golden and
Patti of Wichita Falls. Her grandchildren include Jennifer and Chisholm Tate, Julie
and Dallas Horn, James Paul and Brittany Golden, Mark and Cheri Schneider,
James and Shannon Schneider, Michael Schneider, Johnny Golden, and Jessica
Golden. She was also blessed by 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces,
nephews , and cousins.
The family wants to thank the management and staff of Castle Rock Assisted
Living of Arlington for the thoughtfulness and many kindnesses you showed our
mother and to us over her later years. We also thank Grace Lutheran Church of
Arlington for blessing our mom with your shut-in care.
Services for Gladys will be Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, 10 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran
Church. Burial will be immediately after at Wilbarger Memorial Park. Visitation
will be Friday evening at Sullivan’s Funeral home from 6:30-8 p.m. Memorials
may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Vernon, The Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League, or Moms in Prayer International.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.
sullivanfuneralhomevernon.com
