Gladius Johnson Hiatt was born on Jan. 16, 1942, the seventh child of eight children, to Emit Hassel and Bessie Johnson of Jenkins, Ky. She spent her childhood and growing up in the mountains of Kentucky helping family and friends. She had a love of animals and was known to always have at least 3-4 at any time-varying from cats to cows.

As a teenager she had a love for all things Elvis which continued on into her adult life as evident of her large and vast collection of Elvis memorabilia. She enjoyed gardening, drawing and painting and was an avid photographer. She graduated from Jenkins High School in June of 1961. She joined the Order of Eastern Star and became a lifelong member. After graduation she obtained her Certified Nurse Assistant certificate and worked as a CNA at the local hospital. She met the love of her life as a pen pal in 1963 through a mutual friend while writing letters back and forth while he was overseas in the Army. Their love grew through these letters, leading to their marriage. On Oct. 21, 1965 she married Vernon LeRoy Hiatt of Gravity in a small private ceremony in Pound, Va. They spent a brief time in Iowa before returning to Kentucky.

Their marriage was blessed with three children whom she loved and cherished very much. She became a stay at home mom who enjoyed taking care of her family. She took great pleasure in having a "green thumb" helping to keep her family fed and producing multiple flower beds and gardens. She enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and always taking time to visit with family and friends. Being involved in her children’s education, sports and activities was a personal highlight of her life. This eventually led to her involvement in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America where she continued to be actively involved for many years. As her children got older she and Vernon decided to open their home to foster children providing a giving and nurturing environment for many children for several years. She loved family vacations, always planning on something new and exciting to expose her family to. She continued to travel with her family and see as many states as she could. She was present for the birth of her grandchildren, no matter where or when. In the fall of 1996 she and Vernon returned to New Market where they still remain today.

Shortly after moving to Iowa Gladius became a member of the Circle 8 Square Dance group and member of the WBA (Women’s Bowling Association) where she met several new people who became lifelong friends. Soon all of her children joined her in Iowa allowing for her to be close to her grandchildren. She continued her love of gardening and photography, snapping pictures of family and friends every chance she got. She enjoyed spoiling and spending time with her grandkids and family. Later in life as her grandkids got older and introduced her to video games, she became a serious "player" when not outside working in her gardens. She worked for New Market schools as a driver from 1998 until its closing and several other jobs throughout her life. One of her greatest joys has always been cooking breakfast for her family every Sunday morning. She was always there for her family and friends whether it was for a hug and a kiss or a long talk. Gladius was well known to everyone and very active in every aspect of her life.

Gladius passed away on Sunday, Dec. 28 in Lenox surrounded by her loved ones and her precious pooch, Phoebe.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Willie, Homer, Guy and Gail.

She is survived by her husband, Vernon of New Market; children: Sabrina Bishop (Andy) of Lenox, Emit Hiatt of New Market, and Lizza O’Connor (James) of New Market; grandchildren: Kassandra, Krysta, and Jacob, Dakota, Alex, Aniston and Payton; great grandchildren Michael and Brian; sisters Viola Williams of Whiteburgs, Ky. and Lucille Bently (Dennis) of Marshalls Branch, Ky.; and brother Arile (Jean) Johnson of Columbus, Ohio.