Gladys Barber

Gladys Barber was a woman who lived a long and full life, an independent woman of such quiet charisma, inner strength and peaceful presence. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend, and a woman who lived life on her terms, and taught us to do the same.

Gladys' story began on a cool fall day in October of 1906, a time of great transition in this country. The Industrial Revolution was changing our culture from a mostly farming society to a manufacturing nation, as the American workforce led the world in innovation and perspiration. The automobile and the airplane were becoming a part of daily lives, and new occupations and traditions were born every day. In the little town of Schoolcraft, Michigan, Thomas and Dora (Deliele) Barber were preparing for a birth all their own. On October 9, 1906, a cool Tuesday in Schoolcraft, the happy couple celebrated the birth of a beautiful little girl, a daughter they named Gladys.

Gladys was the third youngest of 10 children in the Barber home, located on a farm in the charming town of Vicksburg. In those days, everyone was expected to help out around the farm, and Gladys was no exception. She attended Vicksburg schools through the eighth grade, when she left to help out around the farm even more, as was so common in those days.

When Gladys was 17, she joined that Industrial Revolution, going to work for the Lee Paper Company as a paper cutter in 1923. It was a good place to work for those that worked hard, as Gladys did (sometimes as much as 60 hours each week), and she stayed at the paper company for 46 years, retiring from what was then called the Simpson Paper Company in 1969.

Gladys worked hard for the paper mill, which most recently was known as the Fox River Paper Mill. The mill was originally built to fill a need for a rag-content paper supplier in the Kalamazoo area, which was known for paper production. Vicksburg was picked for the mill because it had a good supply of clean water and two railroads, and the mill became the town's largest employer, with over 200 employees. During World War II, the mill diverted 80 percent of its workforce to help the war effort. After the war, the mill had a heyday of sorts, and was bought out by Simpson Paper in 1959. Through it all, Gladys loyally stuck by her post at the paper company.

She was far from all work and no play, however. Though she never married, Gladys enjoyed spending time with her family more than anything. She loved to attend her brothers' many sporting events, and enjoyed the many get-togethers and family reunions, where she spent time with her beloved nieces and nephews. Gladys was very close to her family, who brought her life much joy over the years.

Gladys lived with her parents and lovingly cared for them until they died. It was after their deaths that she bought her own home on Washington Street in Vicksburg, where she lived for most of her life. She was always such an independent woman, and had many different hobbies to keep her busy. Gladys enjoyed reading, crocheting, or simply watching television, especially if her beloved Detroit Tigers were playing. Gladys loved the Tigers, and followed them faithfully her whole life. She spent many summer nights listening to the sound of Ernie Harwell call the game on the radio, cheering them on, win or lose. Sadly, she never made it to see a game in person, which was always a dream of hers.

Gladys wasn't a homebody, though. She loved to go out to eat, and for many years, her nieces would pick her up and take her to get her hair done, go to the grocery store, followed by a trip to Mar-Jo's Restaurant in Vicksburg. That was her favorite spot, where she always ordered her favorite dish, a country-fried steak!

Of course, Gladys enjoyed their company as much as the food. She was so close to all of her family, but especially her nieces. The greatest time of her long life was an exceptionally special trip with her nieces 40 years ago. They went up to northern Michigan, then up through the Upper Peninsula and headed west, traveling through the northern part of the country to Washington State, then down the coast of California and back to Michigan, taking Route-66. What an amazing journey that was, for all of them, and a special memory she always held dear.

When her home on Washington Street got to be too much to take care of, Gladys moved into an apartment just a block over, on Prairie Street. She was a woman who was always so willing to help others, but never liked to ask for help herself. So she moved to the apartments, which at the time were occupied mostly by senior citizens, who referred to the place as "Wrinkle City."

Gladys fell and broke her hip three years ago, in 2003, and moved to the Borgess Nursing home while she made her long recovery. Gladys died Tuesday, July 18, 2006, after a long and full life, a life full of family and friendship. Gladys made our lives so much better by knowing her. She will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Gladys, view her life story film and visit with her family and friends Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG Vicksburg, 409 S. Main St. where services will be held Friday at 12:00 noon. She will buried in Vicksburg Cemetery. Members of Gladys' family include her brother Robert (Lucille) Barber of Easley, SC and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Douglas, Maynard and Bernard Barber and sisters Mable Hunt, Lina Lance, Daisy Grinder, Nellie Stevens, and Beatrice Durnell. Please visit Gladys' memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial donation to the Vicksburg Library or Vicksburg Community Center.