In Memory of Gladys Belyeu Rooney

Gladys Lucille Belyeu Rooney was born in Alexander City, Alabama. Her family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when she was a toddler. She was educated in the Philadelphia school system and graduated from West Philadelphia High School.

Gladys accepted Christ at an early age at the Church of the Living God in Philadelphia. As an adult she was very active in church and served as a trustee for many years. She was a devout Christian, praising, praying and thanking God daily even after Alzheimer’s had taken over her memory.

After many years of friendship and courtship Gladys married the love of her life, Clifford Rooney in 1963. Their relationship lasted from 1949 until his death in 1992.

After receiving her cosmetology license, Gladys moved to Detroit to work as a beautician in her cousin’s hair salon. She moved back to Philadelphia a few years later and opened her own salon, Gladys’ Glamour Corner. She ran a successful beauty business for more than twenty years until the salon closed in the early 1970’s. After her salon closed, Gladys worked for the state of Pennsylvania as a House Parent in a boys’ correctional facility until she retired.

Gladys loved life, loved to travel and loved to eat. She also loved animals and had an uncanny ability to train dogs. She was a generous person who would help anyone in need.

Gladys peacefully departed this life, in her sleep, at home in Georgia on Sunday evening, November 28, 2010.

Subscribe to the comments for this post