A Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Gladys Lorene Hankerson Whaley of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019, will be held on Saturday, November 30th, 10:00 a.m., at 34th Street Church of God, 3000 N. 34th Street, Bishop Thomas Scott, pastor, officiating. The interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery. Mother Gladys Hankerson Whaley was born to the late Thomas and Estella Hankerson on May 23, 1932 in Samson, Alabama. The family relocated to Lakeland, Florida, then settled in Tampa in 1943. A graduate of Middleton High School, class of 1949, she received her career training at Brewster Vocational School. In Tampa, she met and married Lamar Whaley, Jr. and to that union six children were born which signaled a dedication to family coupled with a commitment to healing. Her healthcare career spanned over 40 years as a nurse and health technician at the Hillsborough County Hospital, the V.A. Hospital, and the Sickle Cell Association. 34th Street Church of God is the Spirit based home to her family, where Mother Gladys served faithfully in leadership posts as a trustee, leader, and a member of the finance committee. Her hands were always at work, from showing off the products of her green thumb to designing arrangements for her floral business. Those talented, healing hands touched family, church and community in special ways. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lamar Whaley, Jr.; son, Lamar Whaley III; parents, Thomas and Estella Hankerson, Sr.; brothers, Thomas Hankerson, Jr., Alfonso Hankerson; son-in-law, Ronald Christi; adopted daughter, Carmen Johnson and nephew, Eric Lewis. Memorable moments remain in the hearts and minds of her loved ones: children, Leonard Whaley (Jennifer), Gregory Whaley (Pricilla), Sabrina W. Christie, Paul Whaley, Veronica D. Whaley, Yvonne Wilson and Rev. Thomas Scott (Marva); grandchildren, Quiani, Philana, Markell (Joquetta), Alasha, Shamari, Casey, Taylor, Saudia, Amber, Berkley, Carla, Victor, Anna, Robert, Charlene, Frank and Trula; great grandchildren, Giovani, Faith, DaShaun, My'Kayla, Mi'Yanna, Aniya, Elijah, Iyana, Jayden, Khloe, Tiara, Dionte, Michael, Jurrisa, Moniqua, Marquees, Jordan, Zuri, Destin, Joe, Lamar, Ciarah and Kaileen; sisters, Leanora Brady, Susie Milner and Mildred Lewis; sister-in-law, Eddye Hankerson; aunts, Mildred Ford and Lois Pugh (Willie); uncle, George Wilson; nieces, Cynthia, Beverly, Gache', Latricia, and Robin; nephews, John, Michael, Anthony, Alfonso, Jr., Gerald, Theron, Aaron and Michael; special family and friends, 34th Street Church of God church family, the Wilson, Hankerson and Deloach families, Zel Copeland, Hazel Harvey, Ernestine Ponder and Mother Ruth Hodges; and other relatives and friends who will dearly miss her. The visitation will be held on Friday, November 30th, from 5:00 to 7:00 at 34th Street Church of God. The family and friends are asked to meet at the church on Saturday for the service.

Visitation
Thirty-Fourth Street Church of God
Friday, November 29, 2019
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
3000 N. 34th St
Tampa, FL 33605

Burial
Time: TBD
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery,4615 E. Hanna
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Thirty-Fourth Street Church of God
Saturday, November 30, 2019
10:00 AM
3000 N. 34th St
Tampa, FL 33605