Gladys Jester

Gladys Jester, 88, living in Topeka, Kansas, for the past eight years, but truly at heart, a “’Teaguer,” passed away the morning of February 21, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. Memorial services will be held in the Chincoteague area this summer.

Gladys was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Eddie and John Peterman, and sister, “Sis” Niminricter, and Gladys’s husband, Frank Jester, and her daughter, Holly Merritt. She is survived by her sister, Ginger Sparrow (and husband, Bobby), and Gladys’s daughter, Carol (Merritt) Holley, and her “adopted daughter,” Kimmie. After Frank died, she made her home with Carol in Topeka for the past eight years.

Gladys was born on August 8, 1933, in Amityville, PA, the fourth child of five of George and Caroline Peterman. When Gladys was 16 years old, her parents bought a restaurant in Chincoteague and the family relocated.

As an adult, Gladys worked at Bernstein’s Sewing Factory. She also waitressed for many years at various restaurants in Chincoteague, and then retired from working as a clerk at the Purple Pony on Main Street. “Baby” was always her favorite name for all of her customers.

Besides her daughter, Carol, and her sister, Ginger, Gladys’s family includes grandchildren Tyler, his wife Dorian, and their son, Dawson; Travis; Mary, her husband Tobey, and their children Tanya and Cory; Renee and her children Taylor, Cody, and MacKinzee; and Raina and her son, LaVance, Jr. Gladys had many nieces and nephews she also adored—many she continued hearing from over the years.

Gladys’s dearest friends and former neighbors were also special to her. During her annual trips back to Chincoteague, many of them would travel for hours to spend time with her.

If you wish to honor your memories of Gladys in the form of a donation, please feel free to make contributions to Midland Care in Topeka.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys Jester, please visit our floral store.