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Gladys Mae Cook Wiley age 98 of Columbus, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, peacefully in her sleep at the Sanctuary at Tuttle Crossing.

Gladys was born on October 25, 1926, to the late Jay and Nitah Cook in Rockview, West Virginia. She was preceded in death by her loving husband James A. Wiley, sons Jack Lee Wiley and Daniel Ray Wiley. Four brothers Jay Cook, Jimmy Cook, Bill Cook Sr. and Norvel Cook. Three sisters Roberta Harless, Raoma Smith and Jean Kilgore. Along with her daughter-in-law Angela Wiley and grandson-in-law, Griffin Beyer.

Gladys and Jim moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1953 from Princeton, West Virginia with their oldest son Jack and only daughter Sue. Columbus is where they planted their family roots and welcomed their youngest son Danny in 1955 on Sue's 2nd birthday. Throughout the years Gladys enjoyed the local Country Music Association and supported her husband and children in all of their Bluegrass music competitions where she developed lifelong friendships. In warmer weather you could find her fishing at Spring Lake or gardening in her backyard. She had the greenest thumb that helped nourish her family throughout her lifetime, by canning fresh vegetables, making her strawberry freezer jam or baking one of her sweet treats. Raising her family with Jim and working full time, there was not a night she didn't prepare a homemade meal, as that is how she was raised. Gladys retired from Western Electric after 25 years in 1981. After retirement, she began to soak up all of her time with her grandchildren and devote more time to her love of all animals. The Wiley house was filled with jam sessions in the basement, and everyone was welcome to join a pickin' session that would last into the early morning hours. She picked up the love of wine making in her later years and gifted them as Christmas presents to family and friends. She was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, we will miss her incredible Buckeyes she made every year and thankful for her recipe. On weekends there wasn't a garage sale she would miss and would drag her granddaughters with her who affectionally called her Mamaw. Gladys was a force to reckon with as she held nothing back.

She is survived by her daughter Diana Sue (Greg) Jones, granddaughters Tara Morrison, Jamie (Chad Newman) Schneider, and Stephanie Beyer. Seven great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, along with many dear nieces and nephews. Her family will carry on her legacy and memories throughout their lifetime. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Death leaves a heartache nothing can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.

The family would like to extend a thank you to Claremont Retirement Village where Gladys lived for over 7 years and the Sanctuary in Dublin where she entered hospice care with Capital City Hospice in March of 2024 and lived out the rest of her days in peace and comfort.

Friends and family may call on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at EVANS FUNERAL HOME, 4171 E. Livingston Ave., from 4PM to 7PM and Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 11AM to 12PM, funeral service immediately to follow. Interment Glen Rest Memorial Estate in Reynoldsburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Gladys's memory to Franklin County Humane Society.