Gladys Marie McDonald

Gladys Marie Kelly McDonald (73) of Little Rock, Arkansas was born on October 3, 1946. She was the first of the two children born from the union of Elmo and Bertie Huggins. Gladys passed away peacefully on April 23, 2020.                      

Later in life, Gladys was married to Isom Burnett Kelly, Sr. who preceded her in death. From this union, they had one son, Isom Burnett Kelly, Jr. Almost twelve years after Isom, Jr. was born, Gladys had a daughter, Natasha Poe. Natasha's father, Arthur Poe, died in August 2018.

Gladys was preceded in death by her father, Elmo Huggins, three half-sisters, and half-brother Jerry Huggins (who preceded her on March 26, 2020). She leaves behind her mother, Bertie Huggins of Little Rock, Arkansas, one sister, Phyllis Geans of Beaumont, Texas, half-brother Terry Huggins of Oakland, California, one son, Isom Kelly (Angelia Kelly) of Little Rock, AR, and one daughter, Natasha Poe of Dallas, TX. She has 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and adopted family members. She was loved and cherished by everyone who met her. She never met a stranger or someone who she didn't consider as her "baby."

Gladys confessed Christ at an early age in Sweet Home, Arkansas. She was and had been an active member of the St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas for many years. Upon joining St. Mark Baptist Church, she worked diligently with the Health Ministries and served her community. Until her illness, she proudly participated in the Sanctuary Choir who performed extensively in various states and around the city. Gladys loved music. She was so very proud of her choir and its Minister of Music, Darius Nelson. 

She received her license as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Baptist Hospital Nursing School soon after graduation from Horace Mann High School in 1965. The members of the class of 65' were very dear to her heart, she loved each and every one of them as if they were family. After attending and graduating from the University of Arkansas in Conway with a BS in Early Childhood Development, Gladys discovered her true calling which was in the classroom. Over the years, Gladys taught many students how to take care of the needs of others. She retired from the North Little Rock School System in 2011. Even after retiring, she worked at various in-patient facilities helping others until 2018.

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