Gladys Faye

Gerst

Gladys Gerst Founder and retired Executive Director of People for Progress joined her heavenly family on July 25, 2026.

She was born in Sweetwater Texas on January 16, 1938 to Charles Jones and Maurice Smith. She was joined in holy matrimony to a Virginia Airman Gilbert Gerst. This union was blessed with three children, Reggie Gilda and Gilbert.

Gladys was known for her giving heart and the desire to help and bless others. Gladys attended Booker T. Washington School in Sweetwater. Gladys moved to Oklahoma City where she graduated from the historic Frederick Douglas High School at the age of fifteen. She then went on to attend Prairie View A & M University at 16 years old and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

Gladys's purpose was giving and helping others. With this purpose, she began by organizing a summer youth program utilizing the old Booker T. Washington School. For the summer youth program, she was able to obtain funding through grants and fund raisers to provide summer activities (sports, swimming, knitting, crocheting, cooking, tutoring) along with an annual trip to the Six Flags over Texas amusement park for the low-income children of the neighborhood and community. This summer youth program later evolved into the Neighborhood Center in 1967. The Center remaining at Booker T. Washington following integration.

In 1974, the Neighborhood Center moved from Booker T. Washington to the former John R. Lewis Elementary School and became People for Progress Inc. (PPI) Gladys was the Founder and Executive Director of PPI for over 44 years operating over 47 programs before retiring in 2006.

Gladys served as the first female and only black female as a City Commissioner. She has been the only female and only African American to serve as Major Pro Temp. She was on the board of the Texas Department of Community Affairs (TDCA). Gladys received the Martin Luther King Distinguished Service Award January 21, 2008, and continued the family legacy as a faithful and lifetime member of Grater Zion Baptist Church. With her angelic voice she was a member of the church choir.

Gladys was proceeded in death by husband Gilbert Gerst Sr., parents Charles Jones and Maurice Smith, and great grandson Quest Gerst. She leaves to cherish her memory brother Travis Smith (Emily) of Texas City, Texas, son Reggie Clark, of Los Angels, CA, daughter Gilda Gerst of Plano, TX, and son  Gilbert Gerst Jr (Jacquelyn) of Dallas, TX, Aunt Dorothy (Charles) Ward of Los Angeles, CA, nieces Donna Kaye Todd and Olivia Daugherty, special cousin/sister Audria Hammond of Abilene, TX, 4 grandchildren Derrick (Samone) Gerst, William Gerst, Crayton Gerst and Gianna Clyke, 3 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

All funeral arrangements are under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 1, 2026 at McCoy Funeral  with Rev. Robert Carey officiating. Interment will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home.  A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31,2026 from 6:00-8:00pm at McCoy Chapel of Memories.