Gladys Hendrix Mack Sumpter

Deaconess Gladys Hendrix Mack Sumpter was the definition of style, class and grace. She had a      loving heart and an infectious smile. When she walked in a room, you felt her positive energy, her warmth and sweet spirit. An incredible mother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher and friend, she touched the lives of so many for 96 years.  Gladys was a Virtuous Woman that served God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She followed God’s will for her life. She worked with her husband, her   family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and   loving spirit. Gladys always had your best interest at heart.

Gladys was born June 7, 1921 in Batesburg, South Carolina to the late Willie and Anna Hendrix. At an early age, she was   baptized at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Batesburg, SC. She moved to Columbia, South Carolina, met and married the late Deacon Benjamin James Mack in 1947. Gladys joined Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church and became one of the first set of Deaconess under the late Reverend Z. E. Dennis and Reverend Jeremiah Witherspoon. Gladys loved Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully until she left this earthly home. She was a Deaconess Emeritus, an active member in the Church Working Club, Missionary Society and on the Musical and Jubilee Choirs. 

Gladys was a business woman. She was ambitious and knew exactly what she wanted. Gladys would not let anyone dull her shine because she knew her perseverance would one day open the door to a brighter future. Her   unflinching determination was a beautiful example for young people to never give up. She encouraged everyone to always follow their dreams. She owned and operated her own hair salon. Gladys and Benjamin were the founders and owners of Mack’s Day Care Center which was the oldest black day care center in Columbia. Gladys later sold the center to Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church.

After the death of her beloved Benjamin, Gladys began a career and later retired from The Tucker Center in Columbia. Gladys later married the late Joseph Sumpter. Together they enjoyed traveling to various historical   places all over the United States and out of the country.  

Gladys’ husbands, parents, sisters and brothers preceded her in death. On March 18, Gladys began her journey to her new heavenly home. She had a grand welcoming when she reached the pearly gates. Gladys is survived and remembered by her two children, Loretta Mack Lake of Columbia, SC and Mustafa (Russell) Sharif (Mack) of Miami, FL; two grandchildren, Kenyatta Mack and Amin Sharif of Columbia, SC; two great grandchildren, Joycelyn Mack and Emoni Taylor; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

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