Gladys P. Ragan

Gladys P. Ragan has gone home to be with Jesus in her long-awaited heavenly home with her husband and a host of relatives. She died on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 98 years of age.

She was born on June 25, 1926, in Narvel, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Omer and Esther (Neal) Owens.

On January 19, 1941, Gladys married the love of her life, Oscar Ragan, in Pickett County, Tennessee. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage until he passed away on May 31, 1995. Gladys was a member of Whittier Lane Baptist Church for over 60 years, where she taught third-grade Sunday School for 25 years. She was musically talented, sang in the choir, and taught herself to play the organ and guitar.

In her early years, Gladys was employed at Firestone in Noblesville and Hammond Nursing Home in New Castle. She was a cook at Wilbur Wright Elementary School for many years, where she found joy in feeding the children. Gladys loved caring for others and served as a nursing aide at Heritage House Nursing Home until she left to become a private-duty caretaker. She and her husband lived above Couden-Hostetler Funeral Home for several years, and she assisted during visitations and funerals. Gladys loved nothing more than attending family reunions, being at her grandchildren’s sporting events, reminiscing and sharing memories with family and loved ones, and talking about the good ole days.

Those left to cherish Gladys’s memory include her son, Michael (Bobi) Ragan of New Castle; her daughter, Connie P. Martin of Muncie; her daughter-in-law, Donna Ragan, of New Castle; five grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Ragan of New Castle, Nikki Ragan-Hines of Pendleton, Ryan (Melissa) Ragan of New Palestine, Ross (Tasha) Ragan of New Castle, and Morgan (Courtney) Ragan of Greenwood; nine great-grandchildren, Hunter Ragan, Austin Ragan, Evan Dutrow, Brendan Ragan, Caiden Ragan, Haylee Ragan, twins, Jayden and Jackson Ragan, and Colton Ragan; two brothers, Nelson (Lana) Owens of Burkesville, KY and Lloyd (Debbie) Owens of Crawfordsville, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Ragan; an infant daughter, Mabel Ragan; a son, Ronald Ragan; two brothers, Irvin and Hack Owens; and five sisters, Bonnie, Nell, Gay, Helen, and Jeannette.

Visitation will be held at Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle on Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Davis Chapel in Alpha, Kentucky, with Bro. Kenny Neal officiating. Burial will follow in Davis Chapel Cemetery.

Friends may call from 11:00 am until the time of service on Saturday at Davis Chapel.