Gladys was born Gladys Maudene Smith to her parents George and Dorothy Smith on July 19, 1943. She found herself in a rural world surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins, all strongly tied to farming and animals. She loved all animals immediately. Once, running as a toddler, she collided with a bumblebee. And both parties fell; concerned, she made sure the bee recovered. This empathy for all creatures would define her entire life.

As a teenager, she saved enough money to buy a horse, and many days were spent riding her horse with friends in the area now known as Celebration Park in Melba, jumping over rattlesnakes, enjoying nature, and visiting aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In 1961, she graduated from Melba High School. While her father was employed on a family ranch, she caught the eye of a hard-working member of that family ranch. In 1962, she married Gerald Muller, and they remained married until his passing in 2014. Gerald was no doubt attracted to her cheerful nature and optimistic outlook; her laughter was always the first and loudest, even when she was the one being teased. Her laughter in movie theaters was often an embarrassment to her children. This was a strong counterbalance to Gerald's serious nature and served the marriage well.

In 1964, she and Gerald had a son, Brent, and in 1969, a son, Jason.

In 1976, they began a life on the historic Bernard Ferry farm. The farm was small, and their debt was always high. But they worked hard, raised their children, and managed to keep land to pass on to her sons, something she deeply valued. She cooked, cleaned, parented, kept books, and drove farm equipment, but most importantly, she steadied her overworked and overstressed husband with her sometimes unrealistic but always appreciated positive outlook.

Some would mistake her kindness for weakness. They would be sadly mistaken. Pushed too hard, the easygoing paternal Smith persona was replaced by the maternal Franklin force of nature. Thankfully, only the truly deserving among us ever saw that side of her.

After Gerald passed, she kept herself busy with her pets, friends, and family. Throughout her life, painting and art were deeply important to her, and she spent much of her time immersed in it. Eventually, signs of dementia began to show, and later, a bad stroke left her unable to walk. She never succumbed to the pessimism of age and infirmity and remained a remarkably easy person to deal with in all life's challenges.

Her final days were spent at Skyline Transitional Care. Jason and Brent are grateful for the empathetic care she received there, with activities and socialization to make her last couple of years full and satisfying. She was visited by her sons often, and she enjoyed a weekend outing to visit her farm and animals for as long as she was there.

She will be remembered always for her empathy for all creatures, her boundless positivity, and her quick, easy laughter.