Gladys Keesling Wygal

October 29, 1918 - October 20, 2017

Gladys was born in Fremont, Nebraska in 1918 and spent life as a little girl on the family farm. Circumstances of economy and weather caused her father to take his skills elsewhere and she spent time in Upstate New York then Palm Beach, Florida, where her father was welcomed as a skilled carpenter. The family returned to the Fairmount neighborhood of Bristol, which Gladys held dear to her heart until her death. She was particularly thrilled with the new Fairmount School. She attended Fairmount School and graduated from Tennessee High School, where Ernie Ford was among her classmates, and then Bristol Commercial College. As a young woman, she helped open the new Raylass Department Store, worked for the S.E. Massengill Company and had a career at E.W. King Company. She fondly recounted her years there until her death, particularly the kindness, wisdom, and demeanor of "Mr. Albert." She got to know her future husband, Jim, at the frequent dances held at Mrs. Newman's on Pennsylvania Avenue. They shared a life time love of music and were terrific dancers! After marriage, she helped Jim in the family business, Bristol Office Supply. They shared the beauty of the Spring Garden and Virginia Heights areas of Bristol. She loved her quirky cats and all of Nature's beauty. Most of all, she loved Jon's friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Ellis Keesling and Pearl Collin Keesling; her husband, James Newton Wygal; brother, John E. Keesling, Jr. and wife, Helen; sisters-in-law, Kathryn and Elizabeth Wygal; and lifetime friend, Nell Crockett Thomas. Survivors include her son, Jon Heath Wygal of Brisol; grandson, Matthew Wygal and wife, Cortni, and their children, Carys and Branson of Farragut, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Billy Wygal of Catawba, Virginia; and special friend, Lea Jones. Gladys was a loving member of Virginia Avenue Methodist Church, which her father's hands helped build, then State Street United Methodist Church where Jim's family has deep roots. A private graveside service will be held at Gladys' request. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be welcomed to State Street United Methodist Church or Crossroads Medical Mission at 300 W. Valley Dr., Bristol, Virginia 24201 or Healing Hands Health Center, 245 Midway Medical Park, Bristol, Tennessee 37620, or as you may choose. Condolences for the family may be sent and viewed by visiting www.BlevinsCares.com. Mrs. Wygal and her family are in the care of Blevins Funeral & Cremation Services, Bristol, Virginia; ph.#: 276-669-6141.