Gladdies Marie Loyns, affectionally known to family and friends as Gladys Marie Jefferson, was born on April 24, 1938, to Lizzie Huggins Allen and Albert Jefferson in Blanton, Mississippi.

She departed this life on December 22, 2025, at Ozark Health and Rehabilitation in Ozark, Alabama.

She accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized in the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Edwards, Mississippi. She was a devoted mother who diligently worked to ensure that her children had the necessities they required.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lizzie Allen and Albert Jefferson, her brother Ernest Allen, and her three children, two sons, Wilburt Jefferson and David Neal Jefferson, and one daughter, Denise Wright.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved children, two daughters, Gloria McPherson (George) in Ozark, AL and Doris Wright-Bush in Evans, GA, and seven sons, Willie Jefferson, Ricky Jefferson, Gerry Wright (Rebecca), Tommy Wayne Allen (Paula) in Lawrence, KS, Terrance Jefferson (Tina) in Topeka, KS, and Eric Jefferson in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She also leaves behind two sisters, Delores Smith in Brunswick, GA and Mildred Allen in West Palm Beach, FL, and three brothers, William Earl Allen in Jackson, MS, Jimmie Lee Allen in Dallas, TX, and Gary Allen (Johnika) in Shaw, MS. She also leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great–grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.