Our wonderful mom, Gladys Burgess, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Parkinson's disease had taken her body but not her soul. She was born in Casselton, ND in 1930 to Lacy and Emma Roach. She grew up in Casselton and attended the University of ND where she met the man who would be her world for more than 60 years. They spent the first 22 years of their life together traveling the United States, Libya, and Spain as an Air Force family. After Ray retired from the Air Force they moved the family back to Shalimar, FL. They had planned for this area to be where they would retire and spend the rest of their lives. Gladys was an amazing homemaker, wife, mother, and cook. She took care of her family in a way that is rare to find. We were very complementary about her meals and she would humbly reply, "I just followed the recipe". (We all know that the recipes did not have the one main ingredient that made everything so good: her love. ) Her recipes have been shared for decades with many people who still to this day tell me that they make it every year and think about Gladys. The one recipe that has been tried, but not successfully, by her family is her sweet rolls. No one is able to get them as fluffy and moist as mom. Oh well, now the challenge is out there! After AF retirement for Ray, mom began a new career as a business owner. She owned and managed the Bressler's 33 Flavors ice cream shop in the Fort Walton Beach Square during the 1970's and 80's. She was an amazing influence on many young lives that she hired on as their first job. That also gave all 4 of her children an opportunity to have a job--and a very fun job it was! Gladys' sister Lorraine will miss her. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Margaret, Edith, Betty, and Bill. Ray and Gladys were able to ensure that all 4 of their children graduated from college--that was very important to mom. She was not able to finish college, but having an education was something she cherished for her children. With that said, mom was one of the smartest people I know. We had a set of encyclopedias and any time a question came up she would go the books and look up the information. (Now we have google--I know that she would have been googling everything if she was able!) She loved learning new things and kept up with all of the latest: news, travel, and fashion. Speaking of fashion, anyone who knew Gladys very well knew of her ability to "shop til you drop". But ONLY if there was a bargain to be found! That legacy, among many others, lives on through her family. Gladys and Ray had four children: Morry (Mary), Jimmy, Beth and Carol. They were so very proud of their grandchildren: Alec (Lauren), Laura, Barbara, Ryan, Aubrey, Ross, Irene, and Rachel. Gladys also was blessed with her great-grandchildren Ava and Caden. Her family was her world! She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Her niece Kathy has always had a special relationship with Gladys and has visited with her often throughout her life. Gladys was a long-time active member of Shalimar United Methodist Church. Her service will be held there on Saturday, December 31. The family will welcome visitation at 10:00 am and the service will follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Children in Crisis (FWB) or Habitat for Humanity (Okaloosa). Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www. emeraldcoastfuneralhome. com To to the family or in memory of Gladys R Burgess, please