Mrs. Gladys Louise Bender

Mrs. Gladys Louise Bender
Transitioned Friday, November 13, 2020 at the age of 97 years.

She was a faithful and ardent member of the Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee for seventy-nine years where she served as a member of the choir, and the trustee board.  Mrs. Bender loved singing, creating ceramics and crafts, and she especially loved for cooking meals for family and friends.  Mrs. Bender was employed by Richard Eskind and his late wife, Jane Eskind more than sixty years ago as a cook, housekeeper and caregiver for their children.      

Preceded in death by husband, James Benton Bender, Jr., granddaughter, Crystal Bender, brothers, Louis Williams, and Samuel Thomas, Jr., and her nephew, Roderick Thomas.  Those left to cherish her loving memory are her beloved son, James D. (Elaine) Bender, beloved granddaughter, Lauren Bender, loving niece, Karen (James) Thomas Ray, loving nephew, Rodney (Sandra) Thomas, loving cousins, Cora Turnley, Dianne Whitfield, loving goddaughter, Martha Young, beloved and special friends, Richard Eskind, Billy Eskind, Ellen Eskind Lehman and Sarah Taylor, a myriad of other family members and friends.  

A private ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 11AM in the Robert E. Lewis Memorial Chapel, 2500 Clarksville Highway, Nashville, Tennessee conducted by her pastor, the Reverend W. Anthoni Sinkfield of Payne Chapel African Methodist Church.  The service of Committal and Interment was held at Nashville National Veterans Cemetery, Madison, Tennessee. 

Services arranged and directed by A. Brandon Starks, 615-329-9880.