Bettye (Garton) & Joe Ed Gladden

Joe Ed Gladden, age 77, of Hollis, passed away Thursday morning, January 24, 2013, at his residence, in Hollis.

Mr. Gladden was born in Lawn, Texas on February 10, 1935, to Bevie Eugene and Alva Marie (Edwards) Gladden. Joe later moved to Lubbock, Texas where he met the love of his life, Bettye Garton, and they were married on May 31, 1969. A proud member of the United States Army, Joe served his country during the Korean War. In 1984, he and his family moved to Hollis and he began working for Hollis School and later retired as the Transportation Supervisor. In his spare time, Joe enjoyed gardening, fishing and golfing, but most of all, he enjoyed the time he spent with his friends and family, especially his grandson, Baron.

Preceded in death by his parents; his wife, four brothers and three sisters, he is survived by one daughter, Kara Gollihare and husband Brian of Hollis; three sons, Joe Bob Bilbrey and wife Tammie of Lubbock, Mark Bilbrey of Lubbock and Ricky Gladden and wife Susan of Arlington, Texas; one grandson, Baron Gollihare of Hollis; two step-grandsons, Brian Lee Gollihare, Jr. of Hollis and Dylan Gollihare of Altus; three sisters, Mary Lue Baker of Lubbock; Vada Carlile of Colorado City, Colorado and Kay Patterson of El Paso, Texas; one brother, Jerry Gladden of Lake Brownwood, Texas; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Garton of Hollis along with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Joe Gladden will be at 9 a.m., Saturday, January 26, 2013, at the Hollis First Baptist Church with Pastor Justin Sampler officiating.

Interment will follow at Fairmount Cemetery under the direction of Harmon County Funeral Home of Hollis.