She was born October 5, 1931, to Andrew and Bessie Allensworth Martin in Ft. Towson, Oklahoma. She was the second of four daughters and four sons. Gladys attended Bridge Creek and Newcastle Schools. She graduated from Hills Business College in Oklahoma City. After graduation she worked at the John A. Brown department store in Capitol Hill. She also worked in Murdoch Chevrolet in Norman and Oklahoma Electric Supply.

She was married to Kenneth Shay on June 19, 1951, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Together they had two sons, Larry Wayne and Kenneth Dean. With her husband, Kenneth, she also owned and operated an independent insurance agency from 1978 to 1995. They also spent several summers as gate attendants at Pine Creek Lake in Valliant, Oklahoma.

Hobbies included reading, sewing, gardening and talking and reminiscing.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth Dean Shay and grandchildren Brian Keith Shay and Shyla Shay (Chase) Chappell; two grandchildren, Kylee and Logan (Lydia); brothers Devohn (Doris) Martin and Ray Martin; brotherin- law Gene Smith; sisters-in-law Doris Martin and Judy Martin; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Shay and son Larry Wayne Shay; her parents Andrew and Bessie Martin; and sisters Ethel Martin, Ola Mae Vickery, and Mary Smith. She is also preceded by her brothers Leon Martin and Roy Dale Martin; sisters-in-law Lois Martin and Berniece Dabney; brothersin- law Lloyd Dean Vickery, Ronald Shay, Glenn Shay, Desmond Shay and Vernon Shay.