Gladys Holdway Johnson

Gladys Holdway Johnson, 91, died Monday, July 10, 2017, at the CarePartners Solace Center. Mrs. Johnson was born in Bybee, TN, and was a daughter of the late Garrett M. and Anna Mae Haun Holdway. She was married for 64 years to Bobby Ray Johnson, who died in 2011. She worked in sales for Belk's Department Store for 20 years, and later with Byrd's Clothing Store. Surviving are two daughters, Bobbie Childress (Tony) and Brenda Francisco (Roger); three grandchildren, William Zimmermann, Kimberly Glasgow and Jessica Childress; five great-grandchildren, Brooke, Loren, Madisyn, Carson and Emma; a sister, Flora Lee Bihari; and brothers, Ben and Oscar Clay Holdway. She was preceded in death by brothers, Robert, J.D., Jimmy, and Billy Holdway, and sister, Louise Shelton. Mom was a friend to everyone she met. Her kindness and generosity touched many. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother She was a caregiver to all her siblings and parents in their time of need. As her family and friends grieve her passing this life, on the other side they are smiling with open arms, saying, "Here she comes". Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Cecil Hopps officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Friday prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Brother Wolfe Animal Rescue, 31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville, NC 28803.