Gladys Marie Foshee, age 81, transitioned to her forever home on Saturday, January 21, 2023 in Broken Arrow, OK.

Gladys Marie entered this world on September 19, 1941 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the youngest of five children born to the union of Ben and Delia Powell Overstreet. The family had acquired the custom of assigning nicknames to their children, therefore, Gladys became known as "Baby Guinn." Being the youngest, her siblings were very protective of her.

At an early age, Gladys accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at New Salem Baptist Church. She continued her relationship with the Lord and worked diligently in her church. Later in her life, as she continued her spiritual journey and quest, she became affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (Snowden Chapel). Later on, she moved her membership to Holsey Chapel where she remained until her death.

Gladys graduated from the segregated Okmulgee Dunbar High School with the class of 1960. She earned top honors in everything she accomplished and graduated as the class Valedictorian. With this honor, she received a scholarship to attend Langston University to study science and mathematics. While at LU, her science professor sparked her interest in science and math in a fascinating way. It was his use of the flamboyant and meaning terminology of scientific language to communicate with his pupils. She was intrigued and learned the eloquent scientific language which carried over into her own teaching style in her classroom of which students remember until this day. Gladys was a brilliant student and graduated early, in 1963, with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Gladys began her teaching at the segregated Booker T. Washington High School in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Upon integration, Gladys became the first Black teacher to integrate the white school at Sapulpa Junior High as a science teacher. She engaged all her students in mathematics and science through hands-on learning activities, while enhancing her students vocabulary in the classroom. When a student says the name Mrs. Foshee, immediately, they begin to rattle off some of her famous scientific vocabulary words.

While pursuing her career in teaching she met Ronald Foshee. They fell in love, and she later married into a beautiful blended family. Soon after nuptials, they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and started a family. A beautiful daughter was born, Delia, whom they loved dearly. While in Hawaii, Gladys taught four years at Ilima Immediate school in Honolulu. The family returned to Sapulpa and Gladys returned to her teaching assignment at Sapulpa Junior High. She later pursued a master's degree in Agricultural and Science at Oklahoma State University all the while teaching at Sapulpa. Her teachings were filled with challenges but she taught with enthusiasm and love, although she taught many subjects including science, chemistry, and math.

Mrs. Foshee's students fondly remember her repetitive use of scientific vocabulary while teaching. For example, she would regurgitate, "Raise your phalanges'', "Use your Cerebrum'', "Close your Mandible'', or "Sit your Gluteus Maximus Down," and many more! Mrs. Foshee required the best, had high expectations of her students as scholars, and as human beings. She set a positive personal example, encouraging them to reach out to learn new ideas and take advantage of new educational experiences. Gladys was as much a counselor as an instructor!

Among her accomplishments, she organized the first Sapulpa Junior High School Science Fair. She believed in being a professional. She belonged to her school organizations including the local United Sapulpa Educators, the Oklahoma Education Association, and the National Education Association. She also belonged to her Science and Math Associations. In addition, she was a co-founder of the Sapulpa NAACP. She was instrumental in starting the General Education Diploma (GED) Program at the Sapulpa Library and worked at the Hissom Institution at Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

Gladys received several awards during her career including Sapulpa Junior High Teacher of the Year and the Sapulpa Public Schools Distinguished Award. In 2012, Gladys was inducted into the 2nd Class of the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Inc.. Gladys is a Sorority member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA).

Gladys considered her Greatest Accomplishment as being a soldier of Christ, and being a fantastic wife, mother, aunt, friend, and grandmother. She adored her family and invested in her children and grandchildren. She was the matriarch of discipline, love, and wisdom.

Gladys leaves behind to remember her legacy her daughter Delia (Dee) (husband Leman Lewis), Jr.; Grandchildren: Ashley Lewis, Amber Lewis Sobowale, (husband Dolly Sobowale), Alexis Lewis, Zachery Lewis, Megan Foshee; Great Grandson Micah Sobowale, and a host of Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins.

Preceded in her death is her husband Ronald Foshee Sr., step-son Ronald Foshee Jr., father Ben Overstreet, mother Delia Overstreet, and siblings, Yvonee Bryant, Alfred Overstreet, Ben Overstreet, and Archie Overstreet.

There will be a private family visitation.

Homegoing service to be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 412 N. 7th St., Sapulpa, OK on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Scott Gordon presiding.

The family is being cared for by The House of Winn Funeral Home - Muskogee