Mrs. Mary Gladys Green Laughlin, 96, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a rich legacy of love, faith, and education. Born and raised in Randolph County, Gladys was the beloved daughter of the late Cornelius Neil Green and Addie Ferree Green. She was also preceded in death by one son, Clarence Laughlin.

A proud alumna of North Carolina A&T State University, she earned her degree in Education and was only a few credits shy of her Master’s degree—a testament to her lifelong dedication to learning.

She was united in marriage to the late Cicero C. Laughlin, and together they raised two children.

Gladys spent her life sharing that passion with others. Her teaching career began at a private Black boarding school in Louisiana and later continued in North Carolina, where she taught third grade at Leonard Street School and eventually retired from Oak View Elementary.

Gladys’s devotion to her students was matched only by her deep and abiding love for God. She was the spiritual cornerstone of her family and the oldest living member across three family lineages—the Ferrees, the Greens, and the Laughlins.

Gladys will be remembered for her sharp mind, her nurturing spirit, and her steadfast faith. Her impact will live on in the hearts and minds of all those she taught, loved and inspired.

She is survived by one daughter, Bettye (William) Laughlin Alston; she was a cherished grandmother to Tiffany (Bob) Alston Crumley and Courtney Alston Wilson; great-grandmother to Khalil (Christina) Latimer and Logan Wilson; and great-great-grandmother to Simi and Lennox Latimer ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members who will continue to carry her legacy forward.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 3229 Old Glenola Road. Interment will follow at Liberty Grove Community Cemetery, Trinity, NC. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.