Claudette Gladden

Sharon "Claudette" Gladden, 76, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family and friends after complications from a previous stroke. She was born November 2, 1948, to the late Claude and Ina Mae Winters, of McDonald, Tennessee. She was a devoted wife, mother, doting grandmother, and a faithful friend. Her greatest love was for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a follower of Christ and attended Mount Olive Ministries of Cleveland, Tennessee, where she was a member in the choir. Her presence will be deeply missed.

She attended Bradley High School. She was in Tennessee All-State Chorus and graduated in 1966. In 1968 she graduated from McKenzie College where she received her degree in Business/ Secretarial Sciences. There she met her beloved husband at 16, Major Larry Gladden. They have been married almost 51 years and traveled the world together with the Army as a military wife. While living in Swineford Germany she was on the European Council of Protestant Women and District President of Nord Bayern. She had a passion for people and while stationed in Leavenworth, Kansas she was involved in ministry and taught bible studies to those in prison. She also did children’s bible studies in her neighborhood. She volunteered for the community hospitals and Red Cross. While volunteering for the hospitals she found her niche for learning and performing EEG's which she has done for 30 years. She obtained her registry in EEG and worked as a free-lance EEG Technologist for all the hospitals in the Chattanooga and Cleveland areas including Memorial Hospital where she was employed for 20 years.

Claudette enjoyed writing poetry, singing, shopping, going to movies, decorating, and making floral arrangements. She also enjoyed reading her bible and avidly attending Precept Ministries. She had a talent for singing and was invited to sing for different events for the local and outlying areas.

Claudette was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Ina Mae Winters, and brother, Lew Winters.

Those left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, Ret. Major Larry Gladden (Army), daughter; Valerie Reese (Shawn), son; Larry "David" Gladden Il, grandson; John David Gladden, granddaughter; Kaley Reese. Brothers; David Winters (Margaret), Aaron Winters (Christine), aunt; Nancy Everett (Van) their son Christopher Everett, sister-in-law; Wanda Winters, nieces; Casey Shaw (Trevor), Emma Winters, and nephews; Ben Winters, Michael Winters (Emily) and extended family members.

The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday, September 3rd,2025 from 5 to 8 PM at Poole Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Thursday, September 4th,2025 at 11 AM with Pastor Gary Sears officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 PM.

Special thanks and appreciation to Cornerstone (LeeAnn and Raliyah) and Caris Hospice (Heather, Rosalyn, Kim, Kelley, Angela, Alexus, and Cherica) for the caring and excellent care that they provided for my mother.