Gladys Illa Rowley Shaw Smith, age 96, of Sweet Home passed away Tuesday. She was born in Winlock, Oregon to Charles Wesley and Eliza Jane (Keyser) Rowley.

Gladys was born on a ranch near Winlock, Oregon in 1912, the youngest of seven children. At the age of seven the whole family moved into the Willamette Valley to a ranch up Wiley Creek, seven miles above Foster. She went to Moss Butte school one year, then her parents bought a home in Foster where they stayed and went to school during the school year, moving back and forth. She graduated from grade school and Sweet Home High School.

Gladys married Delmer Shaw in 1936 and moved to Portland. In 1943, they moved to Spokane, Washington where their two boys were born. After a few years in Idaho and Montana, they moved back to Portland. When the boys were school age, Gladys went to work in several dry cleaning offices and as a bookkeeper for Broadway Cab.

She was a den mother when the boys were in scouting. She spent her spare time knitting and gardening. After Delmer died in 1957, Gladys moved back to Sweet Home to be near her brother and sisters.

Gladys married Raymond Smith in 1962 and moved to Harlan over Mary’s Peak. They lived on a farm and enjoyed the great outdoors, farming, gardening, raising animals, and making new friends. She belonged to the Grange and the Women’s Association. Gladys spent many hours exploring the countryside and hills.

Raymond died in 1974 and four years later, and Gladys moved to Corvallis. A year later, she moved to Lebanon near her sister. After her sister passed away, Gladys moved back to Sweet Home. She taught 4-H knitting, was a member of Sweet Home Church of Christ, belonged to two quilting clubs, the Senior Gleaners, and enjoyed many friends, flowers, and reading.

Gladys is survived by son, Charles Shaw, of Sweet Home (son, Gene, died in auto accident while in Coast Guard in 1965); grandchildren, Jason Shaw of California and Cherri Rose of Eugene; step children, Richard of Sutherlin, Marlene McDonald of Kings Valley, Bill of Alsea, and Will of Lebanon; 16 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and five great, great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at 18th and Long Church of Christ.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling services.