Marshall, Gladys Louise Young Coffer Johnson (Age 89) of Indian Head, Maryland.

Profile of Life

Our dearly beloved Mother, Gladys Louise Young Coffer Johnson Marshall, was born on June 5, 1922, in Fort Foote, Maryland (presently known as Fort Washington, Maryland) to Andrew and Elizabeth Lyles Young. Later in life she was told by her mother that Robert Coffer was her biological father. She attended public schools in Charles County, Maryland where she was raised.


On May 14, 1939, Gladys and Roland Everett Johnson were united in holy matrimony at Christ Episcopal Church in La Plata, Maryland. From this union nine children were born: Rodgers Elmore, Doris Eleanor, Esther Elaine, Roland Everette, Jr., Calvert MacArthur, Frederick Layton, Lowell Andrew, Gladys LaVerne and Eugene Perette Johnson. In 1962, they expanded their family when they adopted their first born grandchild, Anthony A. Johnson.

Roland and Gladys were happily married for twenty four years before God called Roland home on May 6, 1963. After Roland's death, Gladys became the matriarch of her family and held that role until she was called home. She was a very strong and determined woman, continuing to raise her children by working as a Cafeteria Aide for the Charles County Board of Education at both Indian Head Elementary and General Smallwood Middle Schools. She also had the help of a devoted friend, Larry Elroy Marshall, who later became her husband in December of 1981. No children were born of this union. Their marriage lasted a short twenty three months before Larry too was called home on November 7, 1983.

Gladys was an active member of Saint James Episcopal Church in Indian Head, Maryland and of the community until her health began to fail. She, along with her daughter Doris, were big Dallas Cowboy fans among a family of Redskin fanatics. They both appreciated the professional way the former Cowboys coach, Tom Landry dressed in his suit, shirt, tie and hat for all the football games. Her favorite pastimes were playing cards and attending gospel programs. She also loved spending time with her family, especially at her daughter, Esther's home in Malcolm, sitting in the yard and enjoying the great outdoors. Family gatherings were a source of enjoyment as she continued to orchestrate and partake in the festivities, even after entering the nursing home. Gladys' family was important to her and when you joined her family, you became a member for life.

Peacefully, on Monday, January 30, 2012, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the age of 89, Gladys departed this life to receive her justly earned reward in heaven. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Elizabeth Lyles Young and Robert Coffer, husbands, Roland Johnson and Larry Marshall, grandsons, Anthony and Derrick Lowell Johnson, daughters-in-law, Irene Deloris and Mary Johnson, son-in-law, Robert Briscoe, sisters, Odessa Wilson, Beatrice Dorch, Nellie Young, Cecelia Brawner and Shirley Washington, brothers, Robert Coffer, Jr., Edward, Robert and Wilson Young and aunt, Lottie E. Coffer.

Loving memories will be cherished by her children, Doris E. Watson, Esther E. Briscoe, Gladys LaVerne Taylor, Rodgers E., Roland E., Jr."Speedy", Calvert MacArthur, Frederick L., Lowell A. and Eugene Perette Johnson, daughters-in-law, Helen, Alice Yvonne, Jacqueline and Patricia, sons-in-law, Charles Watson and Richard Taylor, thirty four grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Eleanor Johnson, Bernice Blair and Alma Marshall, a niece like a daughter, Edith Henry "Tudy" and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.

Viewing, 4pm until time of Prayer Service, 7pm Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Thornton Funeral Home, 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland. Funeral Mass, 11am Monday, February 13, 2012 at St. James Episcopal Church, 7 Potomac Avenue, Indian Head, Maryland. Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Maryland.