Mrs. Gladys Fowler VanHook Watson

On the early morning of December 26, 2022. angels from heaven gently accompanied Gladys Adell Fowler (VanHook) Watson on her journey to be with the Lord. Her earthly journey began in Wayne County, NC in 1928. Governmental documentation during the era of segregation left a lot to be desired, thus, a life-long dispute was waged with officials as to whether February 7 or September 15 should be listed on her birth certificate. The latter became a part of the official record. Gladys’ parents were Ed Fowler and Lula Shadding Fowler. She moved to Durham at an early age to live with her aunt, Mamie Allen. Thus, Gladys attended Lyon Park Elementary School in Durham’s famous West End community. She enjoyed being a member of the Class of 1949 at Hillside High School. Later, Gladys earned another diploma from Lincoln Academy High School. Although she was living in Durham, Gladys stayed connected with her family in Goldsboro and Wayne County. She prized her family members and her roots in Eastern North Carolina. At an early age and under the influence of her neighbors, Earl and Rosa Artis, Gladys joined West Durham Baptist Church, which was in the Brookstown section of Durham. She was enormously proud to have been baptized by Rev. T.C. Graham, who was a long-term pastor of that congregation. During her early adulthood, Gladys met and married Walter Clarence VanHook, who had been reared in the Bahama community in northern Durham County and who was a veteran of the Second World War. From this marriage, two children were born, Otto Wagner VanHook and Greta Harriette VanHook. Gladys embarked on a long and fruitful career in health care at McPherson’s Eye, Ear, Nose, & Throat Hospital. Although her marriage to Clarence VanHook ended in divorce, Gladys was always proud of the wonderful mutual relationship that she maintained with the VanHook family. To this day, Gladys is gloriously referred to as “Aunt Mae.” She continued to be invited to BBC reunions of that family. In 1979, Gladys married Willie (Bill) Watson and moved to Glenarden, Maryland, which is a suburb of Washington, DC. This was new and unfamiliar territory, but she quickly adapted and became an integral part of that community. Gladys continued her career in health care and worked at the George Washington University Hospital. Gladys joined her husband’s church and became an active choir member of Washington’s First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Her voice was an important part of the Senior Choir of that church, which performed at many religious and political events in the nation’s capital. Upon the passing of Bill Watson in 2007, Gladys returned to Durham and reaffiliated with West Durham Baptist, where she worked with the Mature Members Ministry, the Pastoral Support Ministry, and the Martha Graham Sunday School class. She also was an active member of the National Council of Negro Women and the W.D. Hill Senior Citizens Council. Throughout her adult life, Gladys was affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, the Golden Circle, and the Daughters of Zafa Temple. Gladys is survived by her children, Otto Wagner VanHook (Rachel) and Harriette VanHook Davis (Eddie). She has two grandchildren, Christopher H.R. Taylor (Ketha) and Jessica C.A. Taylor-Williams (Glenn). She also has a special granddaughter, Frankie Boxley Cozart. In addition, Gladys has several great-grandchildren: Nykoia Brewington, Keenan St. Clair, Alabi Orisadele, Isaiah Newton, Lola Williams, and Langston Williams. Also, Gladys is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Jean Fowler and a cousin, Alease Fields. Gladys was blessed with a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends in Durham, Goldsboro, Washington, and beyond. Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Gladys A. Fowler VanHook Watson will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at West Durham Baptist Church, 1901 Athens Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707; OES Rites at 10:45 a.m., viewing at 11:00 a.m., followed by the celebration of life service at 12:00 p.m.

Mrs. Gladys Fowler VanHook Watson

September 15, 1928 - December 26, 2022