Gladys Waddell

Gladys McNeill Waddell, 93, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away peacefully at the family home on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

She went to elementary & high school in the Moore County School systems and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

She was known for her love of children and babies. In her early years living in New York, she was employed as a traveling nurse and cared for newborn babies. She also met the love of her life in New York, Matthew Waddell Sr. with whom she had 2 children. They were married for 45 years.

As an accomplished homemaker, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, and sewing. She enjoyed gifting her beautiful handmade crocheted blankets to family, friends, and other people just to put a smile on their face.

During her most active years she was a devoted and faithful Jehovah’s Witness generously sharing her free time in ministry and service.

Gladys was also active in the community volunteering in her later years with the local schools.

She was born in Moore County to the late Neal Alexander and Ethel Mae Dowdy McNeill.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew Waddell, Sr.; son, James Ernest Ross; sisters, Cora Dequilla McNeill, Marie Martin, Mary Jones, Nettie Ruth McNeill; 2 brothers, Joseph McNeill Sr. and Walter McNeill.

Left to cherish Gladys’s memory are her children, Dorothy Ross, Pamela Judd, Matthew Waddell, Jr.; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Margaret Blue, Yvonne McNeill, James McNeill, Thomas McNeill; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, May 3rd, at Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service.  A memorial service will follow the same day at 1pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Cumberland Road.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you kindly donate to the Cumberland Council on Older Adults at https://www.ccccooa.org/donate/.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.