Mother Gladys Slater Rouse

With heartfelt sympathy, Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home and members of the Rouse family announce the passing of Mother Gladys Slater Rouse of Darlington, SC. Mrs Rouse transitioned peacefully Saturday, December 27, 2025, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, SC.

The family will be receiving friends from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the home of a son, Mr. Ronald Rouse at 835 Indian Branch Rd, Darlington, SC.

Public viewing will be held 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in the Chapel of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, 612 S Main St, Darlington, SC.

A Homegoing Celebration will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 552 E Billy Farrow Hwy, Darlington, SC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery on Auburn School Rd, Darlington, SC. 

Obituary

     “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  II Timothy 4:6-8

     Mrs. Gladys Slater Rouse was born on December 30, 1930, in Darlington, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Annie Mae Slater and Clyde Lighty, but helped reared by Reverend Murray Slater, Sr. Gladys was the eldest of nine children. She entered her final resting place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence, SC.  

     She received her formal education in the Darlington County Public Schools.

    Gladys was united in Holy Matrimony to the late George Rouse, Sr., and to this union thirteen children were born.

     She was a loving and caring person.  She was a Jack of All Trades. Gladys was a loving wife, mother grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, cook, seamstress, homemaker and friend. Gladys worked hard her entire life. To know her was to love her.

     Gladys was a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church where she was a Deaconess, member of the Gospel Choir, the Willing Workers, the Missionary Society, the Usher Board and the Pastor’s Aide.

     She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, George Rouse, Sr., three grandsons: Reginald Flynn, Gregory Goodson and Ronald Rouse, Jr.; one great grandson, Jecoby Hodges; seven brothers: John, Robert, Murray Jr., Vander, Raymond, J. W. and Jay; four sons-in-law: Lynn Rouse, Charles Edward Goodson, Norris Sims and Charles Allen Goodson

     Those left to cherish her precious memories are: eight daughters: Gladys Flynn, Georgia Goodson, Gloria Goodson, Beulah Samuel, Betty Sims, Rudine Cannon, Patricia Rouse and Annie (Troy) Dudley; four sons: Larry (Brigitte) Rouse, George (Gail) Rouse, Billie Rouse and Ronald Rouse, Sr.; twenty-five grandchildren; fifty-two great grandchildren; thirteen great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Annie March of Columbia, SC and Rosa Lee (Chester) Johnson of Florence, SC; one brother, William (Florrie) Lighty of Hartsville, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please keep the family and friends of Mother Gladys Slater Rouse in your thoughts and prayers. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mother Gladys Slater Rouse, please visit our floral store.