Gladys Marie Brooks, 97, of Shelbyville, Illinois, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, in Shelbyville, Illinois, and slipped into the arms of Jesus.

She was born on November 15, 1928, in Dry Point Township, Shelby County, the daughter of Floyd and Opal Christy. In her later years, she often reflected fondly on her happy childhood on the family farm in Cowden. During those years, she also met Sally Banning Evans, and that friendship grew into a lifelong bond that lasted nearly 90 years, remaining a treasured part of Gladys’s life until Sally’s passing in 2021.

Gladys married Robert W. Mowry, and although his untimely death in 1965 brought great sorrow, their marriage was blessed with a son, Robert “Bob” H. Mowry. As a widow with a young son, she drew on her strong spirit and determined nature to provide for herself and her cherished child. She met each challenge with grit and grace, building a life marked by devotion, perseverance, and quiet strength.

Gladys worked hard, loved deeply, and was always direct and honest in expressing her thoughts and feelings. Those who knew her appreciated her straightforward nature and her unwavering authenticity. In her later months, she said with a twinkle in her eye, “I did it my way in the hard times and in the good times.” That phrase reflected the way she lived her life, with courage, independence, and a steadfast heart.

She took great pride in living a long life that allowed her to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchild grow and build their own families. Her joy was most evident when she spoke about her adorable great-great-grandchildren, who brought her immense happiness and added another cherished generation to her family legacy. Her love for her family was deep and enduring, and her presence will be remembered with gratitude and affection by all who were blessed to know her.

Gladys is survived by her grandsons, Robert “Rob” (Kasey) Mowry, and Gregory (Ronna) Mowry; her great-grandchildren, Nichael (Destiny) Mowry, Maci Mowry (Braylee Bell), Jaxon (Angela) Mowry, Chrisitan (Grace) Mowry, and Emily (Dalton) Vanausdoll; her great-great-grandchildren, Banqs, Jayce, Houston, and Attika, along with three more on the way; and special friends, Mark and Karla Goodwin, Nancy Kistler, and Robin Young.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Opal Christy, her husband, her beloved son Bob in 2021, her cherished grandson Christopher in 1991, and her two sisters, Irene and Louise.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow in Findlay Cemetery. Memorials in her name may be given to the Shelby Christian Church or American Legion Post 409 of Findlay and may be mailed to Lockart-Green Funeral Home, 302 W. Main St., Shelbyville, IL 62565.  

Family and friends are invited to share a story or light a candle at www.lockartgreenfuneralhome.com.