"Not somehow, but Triumphantly!" Mrs. Major Gladys (Herbert) Bergen received her Promotion to Glory in the early hours of Sunday morning, April 30, 2023. Her age was 96.
She was born in Salisbury, NC to Fitzhugh Lee and Ada Elizabeth Ritchie. Gladys was the oldest of four siblings, Mary, Bill, Bobby and Paul. When Gladys was 16, she made described her Christian personal experience for her candidate for officership application. During a revival in Mount Airy, NC she gave her heart to God. Months later she heard a sermon on Sanctification and "poured out her heart to God and received the wonderful blessing of a clean heart." Later, she attended a Young People's Council in Greensboro, NC and during that time "God called me to Officership in The Salvation Army…Through God's grace, strength and help, if I am accepted, I am going to serve God to the best of my ability in the Army."
She was accepted and in 1944, entered the Training College for Officers in Atlanta, GA, as a member of the "Fearless Session". Her beautiful singing voice was well used as she became the Session Soloist, a sacred privilege and responsibility.
Gladys revealed two instances of controversy during this time period. First, the photograph you see was her Candidate for Officership photo. However, critical inquiry about why she was wearing so much makeup while in uniform had to be answered. The photographer had added the touches of color to her portrait. And the second instance stirred up stern looks and wagging tongues. While a group of cadets were traveling on a train, Cadet Herbert Bergen kissed Cadet Gladys Ritchie! Later when they were called into the Training Principal's office to answer for this public display, Herbert proudly said and if he got a chance, he'd do it again!
And he did! Gladys and Herbert were married January 12, 1949 in Winston Salem, NC and went to their first appointment as married officers in Sapulpa, OK. They added Carol to their family before being transferred to Plainview, TX. Charles "Micky" was born there, then Gary in San Angelo, TX and Joel in Lubbock, TX. Carol later told her Mom that for years she had wondered why after having her, Mom and Dad must have decided they did not like girls. That must be why they kept bringing baby brothers home from the hospital. Gladys explained the reality of the matter. Her children were loved and disciplined and taught to love Jesus.
Their appointments gave them numerous modes of learning and serving-especially young people. They were Divisional youth leaders in the Virginia and Southern West Virginia and the North and South Carolina divisions. Oh the thousands of Corps Cadet lessons Gladys graded! And she did not count the number of Sunbeam and Girl Guard badges she sent out in the mail. Then they were sent to Fairmont, W.VA, Salisbury, MD, Wheeling, W. VA, Nashville, TN City Command, Winston-Salem, NC City command, Charlotte, NC City Command, and their last appointment was Knoxville, TN. They were there 9 years and did not want to retire and leave Knoxville. After many letters asking to stay, they retired in 1991 and moved to Sevierville, TN. Gladys played the piano for the meetings and as in prior years, people loved to hear and sing when she played. She also had played her accordion in many Corps and Open Air meetings. Gladys worked at Dollywood Granny's Quilt Shop for several years. Always loving crafts such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, Dollywood became her playground. When health challenges such as Gladys' becoming legally blind from Macular Degeneration and Herbert's orthopedic challenges complicated by Parkinson's Disease became too difficult for them (despite all the help they received from members of the Sevierville, TN Corps) they eventually moved to Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett Assisted Living in Lawrenceville, GA to be near Bob and Carol.
Herbert was Promoted to Glory on June 5, 2007. Gladys grieved and struggled with her aloneness. One day, after the Delmar residents finished their evening meals, Gladys felt God guiding her to do something. She went to the piano in the dining area and began playing hymns. Soon residents gathered around and enjoyed her music and sang along. This grew into an officially recognized and scheduled worship 'singing'. Participants were not at all happy if the weekly gathering was pre-empted by another group. The group became "Joyful Melodies". After Henry and Lily Russell moved to Delmar, they joined forces with Gladys and Joyful Melodies blessed the residents.
Gladys read by using a magnifier that increased letters up to 3 inches on the screen. It was tedious but she could read menus, bulletins and especially her Bible. The macular degeneration and glaucoma left her a small window of sight in the edge of her left eye. She kept us on our toes because she could not see forward, but that sliver of sight could zero in on a sunflower seed on the floor. She listened to many tapes of Bible readings, sermons, audiobooks and music though she was concerned about bothering her neighbors if the sound was too loud. She had memorized much of the Bible and fascinated people listening to her quote the verses.
Gladys is predeceased by her parents, sister Mary, brothers Bill, Bobby and Paul. She is survived by daughter, Carol (Bob) Bagley, sons Charles, Gary (Joy) and Joel Bergen, Grandsons Scott (Lynn) Bagley, Brian (Jeanna) Bagley, Keith (Taylor) Bergen and Cliff Bergen, Great-Granddaughters Rachel (Nathan) Wickham-Cook, Zoelle Bagley, Natalie Bergen, Hadley Bergen and Great-Grandson Ronen Bagley.
Gladys was a loving, terrific Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma and her family has been blessed by her life and Christian example. We miss her and are thankful for her living the meaning of "not somehow, but Triumphantly!"
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Monday, May 8th at Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Ct., Seymour, TN 37865. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Monday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with the Graveside Service to follow in Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens.
Atchley Funeral Home
She was born in Salisbury, NC to Fitzhugh Lee and Ada Elizabeth Ritchie. Gladys was the oldest of four siblings, Mary, Bill, Bobby and Paul. When Gladys was 16, she made described her Christian personal experience for her candidate for officership application. During a revival in Mount Airy, NC she gave her heart to God. Months later she heard a sermon on Sanctification and "poured out her heart to God and received the wonderful blessing of a clean heart." Later, she attended a Young People's Council in Greensboro, NC and during that time "God called me to Officership in The Salvation Army…Through God's grace, strength and help, if I am accepted, I am going to serve God to the best of my ability in the Army."
She was accepted and in 1944, entered the Training College for Officers in Atlanta, GA, as a member of the "Fearless Session". Her beautiful singing voice was well used as she became the Session Soloist, a sacred privilege and responsibility.
Gladys revealed two instances of controversy during this time period. First, the photograph you see was her Candidate for Officership photo. However, critical inquiry about why she was wearing so much makeup while in uniform had to be answered. The photographer had added the touches of color to her portrait. And the second instance stirred up stern looks and wagging tongues. While a group of cadets were traveling on a train, Cadet Herbert Bergen kissed Cadet Gladys Ritchie! Later when they were called into the Training Principal's office to answer for this public display, Herbert proudly said and if he got a chance, he'd do it again!
And he did! Gladys and Herbert were married January 12, 1949 in Winston Salem, NC and went to their first appointment as married officers in Sapulpa, OK. They added Carol to their family before being transferred to Plainview, TX. Charles "Micky" was born there, then Gary in San Angelo, TX and Joel in Lubbock, TX. Carol later told her Mom that for years she had wondered why after having her, Mom and Dad must have decided they did not like girls. That must be why they kept bringing baby brothers home from the hospital. Gladys explained the reality of the matter. Her children were loved and disciplined and taught to love Jesus.
Their appointments gave them numerous modes of learning and serving-especially young people. They were Divisional youth leaders in the Virginia and Southern West Virginia and the North and South Carolina divisions. Oh the thousands of Corps Cadet lessons Gladys graded! And she did not count the number of Sunbeam and Girl Guard badges she sent out in the mail. Then they were sent to Fairmont, W.VA, Salisbury, MD, Wheeling, W. VA, Nashville, TN City Command, Winston-Salem, NC City command, Charlotte, NC City Command, and their last appointment was Knoxville, TN. They were there 9 years and did not want to retire and leave Knoxville. After many letters asking to stay, they retired in 1991 and moved to Sevierville, TN. Gladys played the piano for the meetings and as in prior years, people loved to hear and sing when she played. She also had played her accordion in many Corps and Open Air meetings. Gladys worked at Dollywood Granny's Quilt Shop for several years. Always loving crafts such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, Dollywood became her playground. When health challenges such as Gladys' becoming legally blind from Macular Degeneration and Herbert's orthopedic challenges complicated by Parkinson's Disease became too difficult for them (despite all the help they received from members of the Sevierville, TN Corps) they eventually moved to Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett Assisted Living in Lawrenceville, GA to be near Bob and Carol.
Herbert was Promoted to Glory on June 5, 2007. Gladys grieved and struggled with her aloneness. One day, after the Delmar residents finished their evening meals, Gladys felt God guiding her to do something. She went to the piano in the dining area and began playing hymns. Soon residents gathered around and enjoyed her music and sang along. This grew into an officially recognized and scheduled worship 'singing'. Participants were not at all happy if the weekly gathering was pre-empted by another group. The group became "Joyful Melodies". After Henry and Lily Russell moved to Delmar, they joined forces with Gladys and Joyful Melodies blessed the residents.
Gladys read by using a magnifier that increased letters up to 3 inches on the screen. It was tedious but she could read menus, bulletins and especially her Bible. The macular degeneration and glaucoma left her a small window of sight in the edge of her left eye. She kept us on our toes because she could not see forward, but that sliver of sight could zero in on a sunflower seed on the floor. She listened to many tapes of Bible readings, sermons, audiobooks and music though she was concerned about bothering her neighbors if the sound was too loud. She had memorized much of the Bible and fascinated people listening to her quote the verses.
Gladys is predeceased by her parents, sister Mary, brothers Bill, Bobby and Paul. She is survived by daughter, Carol (Bob) Bagley, sons Charles, Gary (Joy) and Joel Bergen, Grandsons Scott (Lynn) Bagley, Brian (Jeanna) Bagley, Keith (Taylor) Bergen and Cliff Bergen, Great-Granddaughters Rachel (Nathan) Wickham-Cook, Zoelle Bagley, Natalie Bergen, Hadley Bergen and Great-Grandson Ronen Bagley.
Gladys was a loving, terrific Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma and her family has been blessed by her life and Christian example. We miss her and are thankful for her living the meaning of "not somehow, but Triumphantly!"
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Monday, May 8th at Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Ct., Seymour, TN 37865. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Monday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with the Graveside Service to follow in Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens.
Atchley Funeral Home
"Not somehow, but Triumphantly!" Mrs. Major Gladys (Herbert) Bergen received her Promotion to Glory in the early hours of Sunday morning, April 30, 2023. Her age was 96.
She was born in Salisbury, NC to Fitzhugh Lee and Ada Elizabeth Ritchie. Gladys was the oldest of four siblings, Mary, Bill, Bobby and Paul. When Gladys was 16, she made described her Christian personal experience for her candidate for officership application. During a revival in Mount Airy, NC she gave her heart to God. Months later she heard a sermon on Sanctification and "poured out her heart to God and received the wonderful blessing of a clean heart." Later, she attended a Young People's Council in Greensboro, NC and during that time "God called me to Officership in The Salvation Army…Through God's grace, strength and help, if I am accepted, I am going to serve God to the best of my ability in the Army."
She was accepted and in 1944, entered the Training College for Officers in Atlanta, GA, as a member of the "Fearless Session". Her beautiful singing voice was well used as she became the Session Soloist, a sacred privilege and responsibility.
Gladys revealed two instances of controversy during this time period. First, the photograph you see was her Candidate for Officership photo. However, critical inquiry about why she was wearing so much makeup while in uniform had to be answered. The photographer had added the touches of color to her portrait. And the second instance stirred up stern looks and wagging tongues. While a group of cadets were traveling on a train, Cadet Herbert Bergen kissed Cadet Gladys Ritchie! Later when they were called into the Training Principal's office to answer for this public display, Herbert proudly said and if he got a chance, he'd do it again!
And he did! Gladys and Herbert were married January 12, 1949 in Winston Salem, NC and went to their first appointment as married officers in Sapulpa, OK. They added Carol to their family before being transferred to Plainview, TX. Charles "Micky" was born there, then Gary in San Angelo, TX and Joel in Lubbock, TX. Carol later told her Mom that for years she had wondered why after having her, Mom and Dad must have decided they did not like girls. That must be why they kept bringing baby brothers home from the hospital. Gladys explained the reality of the matter. Her children were loved and disciplined and taught to love Jesus.
Their appointments gave them numerous modes of learning and serving-especially young people. They were Divisional youth leaders in the Virginia and Southern West Virginia and the North and South Carolina divisions. Oh the thousands of Corps Cadet lessons Gladys graded! And she did not count the number of Sunbeam and Girl Guard badges she sent out in the mail. Then they were sent to Fairmont, W.VA, Salisbury, MD, Wheeling, W. VA, Nashville, TN City Command, Winston-Salem, NC City command, Charlotte, NC City Command, and their last appointment was Knoxville, TN. They were there 9 years and did not want to retire and leave Knoxville. After many letters asking to stay, they retired in 1991 and moved to Sevierville, TN. Gladys played the piano for the meetings and as in prior years, people loved to hear and sing when she played. She also had played her accordion in many Corps and Open Air meetings. Gladys worked at Dollywood Granny's Quilt Shop for several years. Always loving crafts such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, Dollywood became her playground. When health challenges such as Gladys' becoming legally blind from Macular Degeneration and Herbert's orthopedic challenges complicated by Parkinson's Disease became too difficult for them (despite all the help they received from members of the Sevierville, TN Corps) they eventually moved to Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett Assisted Living in Lawrenceville, GA to be near Bob and Carol.
Herbert was Promoted to Glory on June 5, 2007. Gladys grieved and struggled with her aloneness. One day, after the Delmar residents finished their evening meals, Gladys felt God guiding her to do something. She went to the piano in the dining area and began playing hymns. Soon residents gathered around and enjoyed her music and sang along. This grew into an officially recognized and scheduled worship 'singing'. Participants were not at all happy if the weekly gathering was pre-empted by another group. The group became "Joyful Melodies". After Henry and Lily Russell moved to Delmar, they joined forces with Gladys and Joyful Melodies blessed the residents.
Gladys read by using a magnifier that increased letters up to 3 inches on the screen. It was tedious but she could read menus, bulletins and especially her Bible. The macular degeneration and glaucoma left her a small window of sight in the edge of her left eye. She kept us on our toes because she could not see forward, but that sliver of sight could zero in on a sunflower seed on the floor. She listened to many tapes of Bible readings, sermons, audiobooks and music though she was concerned about bothering her neighbors if the sound was too loud. She had memorized much of the Bible and fascinated people listening to her quote the verses.
Gladys is predeceased by her parents, sister Mary, brothers Bill, Bobby and Paul. She is survived by daughter, Carol (Bob) Bagley, sons Charles, Gary (Joy) and Joel Bergen, Grandsons Scott (Lynn) Bagley, Brian (Jeanna) Bagley, Keith (Taylor) Bergen and Cliff Bergen, Great-Granddaughters Rachel (Nathan) Wickham-Cook, Zoelle Bagley, Natalie Bergen, Hadley Bergen and Great-Grandson Ronen Bagley.
Gladys was a loving, terrific Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma and her family has been blessed by her life and Christian example. We miss her and are thankful for her living the meaning of "not somehow, but Triumphantly!"
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Monday, May 8th at Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Ct., Seymour, TN 37865. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Monday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with the Graveside Service to follow in Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens.
Atchley Funeral Home
She was born in Salisbury, NC to Fitzhugh Lee and Ada Elizabeth Ritchie. Gladys was the oldest of four siblings, Mary, Bill, Bobby and Paul. When Gladys was 16, she made described her Christian personal experience for her candidate for officership application. During a revival in Mount Airy, NC she gave her heart to God. Months later she heard a sermon on Sanctification and "poured out her heart to God and received the wonderful blessing of a clean heart." Later, she attended a Young People's Council in Greensboro, NC and during that time "God called me to Officership in The Salvation Army…Through God's grace, strength and help, if I am accepted, I am going to serve God to the best of my ability in the Army."
She was accepted and in 1944, entered the Training College for Officers in Atlanta, GA, as a member of the "Fearless Session". Her beautiful singing voice was well used as she became the Session Soloist, a sacred privilege and responsibility.
Gladys revealed two instances of controversy during this time period. First, the photograph you see was her Candidate for Officership photo. However, critical inquiry about why she was wearing so much makeup while in uniform had to be answered. The photographer had added the touches of color to her portrait. And the second instance stirred up stern looks and wagging tongues. While a group of cadets were traveling on a train, Cadet Herbert Bergen kissed Cadet Gladys Ritchie! Later when they were called into the Training Principal's office to answer for this public display, Herbert proudly said and if he got a chance, he'd do it again!
And he did! Gladys and Herbert were married January 12, 1949 in Winston Salem, NC and went to their first appointment as married officers in Sapulpa, OK. They added Carol to their family before being transferred to Plainview, TX. Charles "Micky" was born there, then Gary in San Angelo, TX and Joel in Lubbock, TX. Carol later told her Mom that for years she had wondered why after having her, Mom and Dad must have decided they did not like girls. That must be why they kept bringing baby brothers home from the hospital. Gladys explained the reality of the matter. Her children were loved and disciplined and taught to love Jesus.
Their appointments gave them numerous modes of learning and serving-especially young people. They were Divisional youth leaders in the Virginia and Southern West Virginia and the North and South Carolina divisions. Oh the thousands of Corps Cadet lessons Gladys graded! And she did not count the number of Sunbeam and Girl Guard badges she sent out in the mail. Then they were sent to Fairmont, W.VA, Salisbury, MD, Wheeling, W. VA, Nashville, TN City Command, Winston-Salem, NC City command, Charlotte, NC City Command, and their last appointment was Knoxville, TN. They were there 9 years and did not want to retire and leave Knoxville. After many letters asking to stay, they retired in 1991 and moved to Sevierville, TN. Gladys played the piano for the meetings and as in prior years, people loved to hear and sing when she played. She also had played her accordion in many Corps and Open Air meetings. Gladys worked at Dollywood Granny's Quilt Shop for several years. Always loving crafts such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, Dollywood became her playground. When health challenges such as Gladys' becoming legally blind from Macular Degeneration and Herbert's orthopedic challenges complicated by Parkinson's Disease became too difficult for them (despite all the help they received from members of the Sevierville, TN Corps) they eventually moved to Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett Assisted Living in Lawrenceville, GA to be near Bob and Carol.
Herbert was Promoted to Glory on June 5, 2007. Gladys grieved and struggled with her aloneness. One day, after the Delmar residents finished their evening meals, Gladys felt God guiding her to do something. She went to the piano in the dining area and began playing hymns. Soon residents gathered around and enjoyed her music and sang along. This grew into an officially recognized and scheduled worship 'singing'. Participants were not at all happy if the weekly gathering was pre-empted by another group. The group became "Joyful Melodies". After Henry and Lily Russell moved to Delmar, they joined forces with Gladys and Joyful Melodies blessed the residents.
Gladys read by using a magnifier that increased letters up to 3 inches on the screen. It was tedious but she could read menus, bulletins and especially her Bible. The macular degeneration and glaucoma left her a small window of sight in the edge of her left eye. She kept us on our toes because she could not see forward, but that sliver of sight could zero in on a sunflower seed on the floor. She listened to many tapes of Bible readings, sermons, audiobooks and music though she was concerned about bothering her neighbors if the sound was too loud. She had memorized much of the Bible and fascinated people listening to her quote the verses.
Gladys is predeceased by her parents, sister Mary, brothers Bill, Bobby and Paul. She is survived by daughter, Carol (Bob) Bagley, sons Charles, Gary (Joy) and Joel Bergen, Grandsons Scott (Lynn) Bagley, Brian (Jeanna) Bagley, Keith (Taylor) Bergen and Cliff Bergen, Great-Granddaughters Rachel (Nathan) Wickham-Cook, Zoelle Bagley, Natalie Bergen, Hadley Bergen and Great-Grandson Ronen Bagley.
Gladys was a loving, terrific Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma and her family has been blessed by her life and Christian example. We miss her and are thankful for her living the meaning of "not somehow, but Triumphantly!"
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM Monday, May 8th at Atchley Funeral Home, 122 Peacock Ct., Seymour, TN 37865. The Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Monday in Atchley's Seymour Chapel with the Graveside Service to follow in Atchley's Seymour Memory Gardens.
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