Gladys Marie (Glass) Calhoun

Gladys Marie was born to L. V. and Esther Glass on June 13, 1938, in Schulenburg, Texas. She was the fourth child and first daughter born to this union. She was called by our Heavenly Father Jehovah God on March 9, 2024.

She came to know Jehovah God and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Schulenburg. She attended J. A. Green High School in Schulenburg and graduated in 1955.She attended Prairie View A & M University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Elementary Education in 1959. She later earned a master's degree in Elementary School Administration.

While attending Prairie View A & M University, she met the love of her life, Donald Earl Calhoun. They were married on May 31, 1959. To this union, one son, Donald Earl Calhoun, Jr. was born June 28, 1961. He also Attended Prairie View A & M University.

Gladys began her teaching career in the Houston Independent School District. Piney Point Elementary School was her first assignment. She later taught at Sanderson and McDade Elementary Schools.

In 1968, her husband, Donald was transferred to New Jersey by his employer. They settled in East Orange, New Jersey. Gladys continued her teaching career at Columbian Elementary School in East Orange and later became the assistant principal.

In 1980, Gladys was appointed principal of Jackson Academy by the East Orange Board of Education. She served in this assignment for thirty years. During her tenure she received many accolades, awards, and recognition for superior teacher's performance, high student test scores, parental involvement, outstanding administrative leadership and overall positive school environment. She was responsible for implementing the first student uniform dress code in the East Orange Public School District. 

Following her retirement, the mayor and city council of East Orange announced that a street would be named in her honor. On June 13, 2011, that became a reality, when "Gladys M. Calhoun Way" became a street in the Jackson Academy vicinity.

Gladys Marie was active in several organizations: East Orange Administrators Association, National Education Association, New Jersey Administrators Association, National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, and East County Retired Education Association. She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a local member if Suburban Houston - Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter, Delta Thea Sorority, Inc.

Gladys Marie was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, East Orange, New Jersey until their retirements. After Gladys and her family returned to Texas in 2011, they settled in Katy. She attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, Cinco Ranch Congregation with her husband, Donald.

Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, L. V. and Esther Glass, her son, Donald "Donnie" Earl Calhoun, Jr., her siblings, Wilson (Bill) Glass, Wilber Glass, Lee Vernon Glass and Ruby Carr.

Gladys Marie is survived by her husband of 64 years, Donald Earl Calhoun; adopted sister, Judy (Julia) Glass, sister-in-law, Welda Anderson; nieces/daughters, Yvette Dix, Falon Carr, Virginia Berry, Theresa Jones and Verniece Davis; nephews/sons, Wilbur Glass, Jr. Jimmy Glass, Lee Vernon Glass, Jr., Demetrius Glass, Tommy Glass and Winfield Anderson, Jr.; cousin/niece, Cynthia Glass Bivins, Angela Johnson and Arleas Kea; cousin/nephews, Raymond "Randy" Glass, II, Roderick "Rocky" Glass and Zachary Love and many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, special friends, Mary Lett, Tina McAfee and other friends.

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