Gladys Nichols Hess

Gladys Nichols Hess, 80, passed away at home on August 3, 2018. Gladys was born in North Carolina on June 17, 1938 to James and Nannie Nichols of Star North Carolina. She was the oldest of 6 children born to James and Nannie Nichols who both preceded her in death. She spoke lovingly of her siblings all of which remain in North Carolina. She graduated from Star High School in 1956, and married her high school sweetheart Lester Edward Hess, who had enlisted in the United States Army two years prior. Upon graduation she left with her husband on worldly travels with the US Army. After 7 years they started their family giving birth to Kimberly Dawn Hess in Austin, Texas, on July 15, 1964. Then in 1967, while in Badkreuznach, Germany they had a second daughter Karen Elizabeth Hess. When the girls were old enough to start school, Gladys began and ended her career in the El Paso Independent School District at Logan School on base at Fort Bliss. She made many friends in the school district and loved working with the kids and families of Ft Bliss over the course of 25 years. She loved gardening and her grandchildren and spending time with friends at their second home in Ruidoso. Gladys and Lester were married 61 years and are now reunited in Gods Kingdom. Gladys is survived by her brother and sisters in North Carolina, Johnnie Nichols (Pat), Faye Callicutt, Norma Callicutt (Ray), Hilda Craven (Donald), and Phyllis Allred (Richard). Also surviving are daughters, Kim Russo of Arlington, Texas and Karen Krusinga (Jeffery) of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Grandchildren, Dylan Russo, Kayla Krusinga, and Samantha Krusinga. Friends from the US Army that have been stationed with them over the years are also considered Family. Visitation will begin at 8:30am on Wednesday, August 08, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Committal Service will follow at 10:00am at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Please visit our online registry book at: www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net