Gladys K. Boswell

We said good bye to our Mom, Gladys Katherine Boswell Tuesday morning November 4, 2014 in Burien, Washington at the age of 92.  Gladys Katherine Boswell longed for this day when she would meet her Lord Jesus face to face, the one she knew so well.   She now has eyes that can see the unspeakable beauty of heaven and the greeting she received from loved ones that passed on before her had to be just awesome.

Gladys was born on September 18, 1922 to William and Virginia (Dodge) Bone in Columbus, Kentucky.  She was the only daughter of five children. Being the only girl out of six children meant her older brothers looked out for her. Carl (Pete) and Clifford Bone looked out for their sister throughout her growing up years in Clinton, Kentucky.  Gladys returned the favor by looking out for her younger brothers Paul, Charles and Elvis (Gene) Bone.  Being children of share croppers had its hardships and hard work. Attending school and work on the farm was very difficult, yet Gladys was still able to complete up to the eleventh grade.

Gladys married Carl Travis Boswell in East Prairie, Missouri on October 19, 1940. They were introduced a few months earlier by Carl’s Sister. Both started their lives together in East Prairie, working on the Boswell family farm, which wasn’t far from the Mississippi River. Their first home was one that had settled on the farm from a recent flood. After a few years they moved to Silvies/Seneca, Oregon and then to Burns, Oregon where Carl worked as a logger. They enjoyed raising their children in the small town community, getting together with her neighbors/friends, and attending the local Nazarene Church.  In 1961 they moved to Burbank, Washington for a short time and then finally settled in Seattle, Washington in 1962 living in the West Seattle/White Center areas.  Gladys and Carl loved to volunteer at the Penial Mission in downtown Seattle on a regular basis, which she continued to do even after Carl’s passing in 1982.  Carl and Gladys enjoyed 42 years of marriage.

Gladys worked in the cafeteria at Fishers Mill in Seattle for several years. Later she worked at the American Conserving Company, an apple processing company, on Elliott Avenue in Seattle, where she was the quality control supervisor.   Gladys retired in 1982.

Gladys continued to be involved in several senior ministries programs in the coming years including the White Center YMCA senior program, the Prison Ministries outreach at Purdy, Washington Women’s facility and she was very active at the Highland Park Nazarene Church in various ministries. Gladys also volunteered to be an adult sponsor on many mission trips traveling throughout the country with her son Dave and his youth groups.  All the teenagers loved having her on the trips.  She was their grandma during the two weeks. She loved every minute of being with them.

Gladys was blessed by three daughters, Carolyn Judith Nolan and her husband Craig of Cleveland, Ohio;  Phyllis  Ann Harris of Vancouver, WA; Connie Sue Foster and her husband Len of Morganton, North Carolina; and, two sons, Gary Travis Boswell and his wife Judy of Seattle, WA and David Allen Boswell and his wife Diana of Vancouver, WA.  Her Legacy continues with 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Gladys loved her kids and grandkids, she would light up with that sparkle in her eye every time any came to visit.  When you came to her house she would always lay out a feast, a feast she prepared with love.  No matter who it was, they always went home with a full tummy and a warm heart.  Whether she was Mom, Grandma, Granny B, or just a friend, she just loved having all come to visit her.  She was blessed to be loved by many.  We will miss her so.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Travis Boswell; parents, William Cleveland and Virginia Ellen Bone; brothers, James Carl (Pete) Bone, William Clifford Bone, Paul Edward Bone, Charles Jr. Bone and Elvis Eugene Bone; grandson, Travis Nolan; great-grandson, Joshua Harris.

We would be so happy to see you on Saturday, November 22nd at one p.m., as we celebrate the life of our dear Mom, Grandma and Friend.  The service will be at Burien Evangelical Church - 500 S.W. 146th St. Burien, WA.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home. Please share your memories of Gladys on our online guestbook @ www.howdenkennedy.com