Gladys Mae Neal

Gladys Mae (Hunt) Neal was born on July 15, 1945, in Stanton, Tennessee, to the late Booker T. and Alfreda Hunt. She was a tiny, bright-eyed baby girl who was eager to grow up and leave her mark on this world.  

At a very young age, Gladys moved to Saginaw, Michigan where she avidly watched her parents and quickly picked up on their hard work ethic and determination. She was a proud graduate of Saginaw High School and soon became a waitress at a local restaurant. Gladys loved bonding with and serving the community so much that she switched career paths and started working as a CNA at Healthsource Saginaw (formerly Saginaw Community Hospital). Along the way, she met her God-sent husband, Charles Neal, whom she loved greatly until his unfortunate passing in 1972.  

One thing about Gladys, she always had to look and smell good! She wore stylish clothes, beautiful jewelry, lovely perfume, and had way too many pairs of shoes for only having two feet. She always had her hair pressed and curled to perfection, with her nice, long nails polished in warm colors. And her hands, Gladys had the softest, most comforting hands one could imagine. Not only that, she had a very soothing voice that could calm anyone down in even the toughest of situations.  

Those who knew Gladys knew that she was always rolling around town in a new car with her freshly done hair blowing in the wind. When she wasn’t driving, people would often see her relaxing on her parents’ front porch with a nice cold Pepsi in her hands spending time with the ones she loved the most.  

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Booker T. and Alfreda Hunt, husband Charles Neal, and siblings Voltea Hunt, Harvey Lee Hunt, Charles Hunt, Sybil Morris, Mozetta Wiley, and Avella Vaulx. 

She is forever cherished and remembered by her surviving brother John Hunt; son, David Hunt (Nieves Hernandez); daughter Tamikka Lewis (Tremayne Champion); four grandchildren: David Knapp, Breeontay Hunt, Shania Lewis, and R’ion Champion; And a host of nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Dominador Laynes, Dr. Maliha Shaikh, social worker and special advocate Maria Krause, Covenant Healthcare, Davita Dialysis, and Fresenius Dialysis for the care and support over the years. 

A special thank you to Toni & Trish House for providing a comfortable, caring, and love filled atmosphere for Gladys during her final days. You all hold a special place in our hearts. 

Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Toni & Trish House of Auburn, MI. 

 “Mama, mama, you know we love you. Mama, you’re the queen of our hearts, your love is like tears from the stars. Mama, we just want you to know. Loving you is like food to our souls.”