Mary Gladden was born in Charleston, South Carolina to the late Julian Gladden and Alice Gladden on December 30th 1955. Mary was the oldest girl from her parents and she took that responsibility serious. She made sure to help her mother raise her younger brothers and continued to support her family in every way possible. Mary received her education through the Charleston County public school system. She received her diploma from Middleton High School and set out to go Benedict College. During her first year of college her family suffered the loss of her father Julian Gladden Sr. Concerned about her mother and family she transferred to Baptist College to be closer to home. Mary graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in Science and Religion in 1979.

In 1977, she accepted Christ as her Lord and savior and never looked back. She came into connection with the late Rev. Clarence Middleton and Pastor Ruth Middleton and became a member of World Wide Deliverance Church. She fell in love with Jesus and worked in ministry as a Missionary for those in need. Mary always had a calling to help people and lead them to Christ. While in college she led many of her classmates and family members to Jesus and World Wide Deliverance Ministry.

As the years went by, Mary found a best friend in Herman Middleton. After 11 yrs of friendship, the two decided to become one and on July 27, 1988, they were united in Holy Matrimony. The two set out to establish a life in Florida in the late 1980's. As a new couple they settled in Miami, Florida and later moved to Orlando.  In 1990, the two would welcome their only daughter Alexandria into the world. In 1993 the family moved to Summerville, South Carolina and remained there until 2003. While in South Carolina, Mary established and operated Mary's Daycare for over 10 years. She loved children and believed in providing them with love, support and education. She also served alongside her husband as Asst. Superintendent for the World Wide Deliverance Sunday School Department. During their tenure, the two coordinated a variety of the church outreach programs under the direction of Apostle Ruth Middleton. Some of the programs included; World Wide Deliverance's Back to the Bible Christian School, Summer Free Lunch Program, World Wide Deliverance Children's Trip, World Wide Deliverance Pageant and more. She loved serving God, her ministry, and people! In 2003 her family moved back to Florida and established themselves in the central Florida area. While in Kissimmee, Mary begin to work in the Osceola County School District. During her tenure with the Osceola School District she served as a cafeteria staff, substitute teacher, culinary instructor, media specialist and paraprofessional.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with stage 4 T-Cell Lymphoma . Mary declared that she would live and not die. With the leadership and guidance of her leader Apostle Ruth, God allowed her to live over 9 years with stage 4 cancer. During her cancer journey Mary continued to live a full life with her family. She was able to renew her vows to her husband in 2018, see her daughter receive her master's degree in 2021, as well as travel to many locations within the states and abroad. Mary loved to give and care for others. She also loved to spend time with her husband and daughter, her family back home in Charleston and with her sister in Miami. Mary took pride in caring for her mother and did her best to ensure she was taken care of. She truly loved her family and did her best to show love through action.  During her many trips back to Charleston, South Carolina she would always have a gift, snack, or special treat for someone. Through all the changes and different treatments her trust and faith in God remained solid.

February 26, 2025, God decided it was time for his daughter to join him in glory. She leaves behind to cherish her life her loving husband Herman Middleton, her precious daughter Alexandria Juliset Angel Middleton, her mother, Alice Gladden, mother in love, Apostle Ruth Middleton Sanders  (Daniel), Siblings; Robert Frasier (Lavern), Ferda Owens- Spurlock (Al), St. Julian Gladden Jr (Paula), Jerome Gladden, and Terry Gladden Siblings in love: Clarence Middleton (Sinthera),Robert Middleton (Pernell), Al Middleton (Karen), Jessie Middleton (Odetta), Elaine Williams (Eric), Larry (Debbie), LaTania Pope (Charles), Jonathan Middleton (Veronica), many nieces, nephews, God Children, church family, friends and coworkers. Mary will truly be missed because she touched the lives of so many. She was always thinking of others and she did her very best to show love through actions. Mary was a warrior until the very end. She didn't complain, she fought with all her might and trusted God would fight her battle and he did. We celebrate the life of Mary and will continue to keep her memory in our hearts.