Gladys Marie LaFayette

Gladys Marie LaFayette, 82, widow of Carl Francis LaFayette, moved on to glory on November 25, 2022. Born in Vanceboro, NC, Marie was predeceased by her parents, James and Mamie Boyd, her step-parents, Archie & Bee Craven, and a son, Larry P. Copeland. Marie retired from J.C. Penney Department Store in Sumter, SC.

Marie is survived by two brothers: Lonnie Craven and Michael Craven; two children: Wayne Copeland, of Greenville, SC and Linda Garner of Boiling Springs, SC; and three step-children: Terry Harris of Silverdale, WA, and Carla LaFayette and Joe LaFayette, both of Spokane, WA. “Miss Marie” was particularly blessed by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marie married Carl in 1981 in Sumter, SC, living there until 2006, when they moved to Boiling Springs, SC. For the last three and a half years, Marie was blessed to be cared for by the staff of The Gardens of Eastside in Greenville. For many years, Marie was an active member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Spartanburg, where she and Carl had many dear friends. She enjoyed delivering meals for Mobile Meals of Spartanburg.

A private gathering of family to celebrate Marie’s life will be held December 10th. A memorial service will be held later in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org/donate.

“You lived a beautiful life; even though you had some hard times and some tragedy befall you, you were an incredible mother, and you still made such a beautiful thing of it. And now you’re allowed to rest.”

Friends are encouraged to leave condolence messages for the family by clicking on the button labeled “Leave A Message, Share A Memory” below.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown