LINCOLN – Gladys Johnson Cole, 86, wife of Robert Cole, died unexpectedly Oct. 23, 2005, at a Lincoln hospital. She was born Nov. 14, 1918, in Lincoln, the daughter of the late Daniel Ford and Sarah (Bailey) Clifford. Gladys attended local schools in Lincoln and Dexter, married Leslie and started her family in Dexter. She continued her schooling and graduated from the Boston Floral Design School in 1948. Shortly after, she and Leslie moved to Lincoln and started Johnson’s Florist and Greenhouse, which they operated for 24 years. They sold the business to Bob and Martha Cole in 1971 and she continued to work for Bob and Martha for another 17 years. Gladys was noted over the years for providing very generous support to many people in need. She also was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dexter, past member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Ivaloo Rebekah Lodge, Harmony Club, Board member of Hospice of Eastern Maine for one term, a volunteer for Hospice in Lincoln, and a member of the Penobscot Valley Support Group. In addition to her husband, Robert; Gladys is survived by a brother, Melvin Clifford and wife, Carolyn, of Lincoln; two sons, Vaughn Johnson and his wife, Sharon, of San Bernardino, Calif., and David Johnson and his wife, Elaine, of Billerica, Mass.; one daughter, Sheila Leighton and her friend, Arvid Good, of Belgrade; one stepdaughter, Roxanne Springer and friend, Myron Braddock, of Lee; one stepdaughter-in-law, Jennifer Nelsen, of Wayne, Neb.; 14 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Leslie Johnson; one son, Dalton; two sisters, Phyllis Allen and Norma Annette; one brother, Daniel Louis Clifford; one stepson, Douglas Cole. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Darrel Joiner officiating. Interment will be in Lincoln Cemetery. For an online register book please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
GLADYS JOHNSON COLE
