Gladys Herbert was born June 26, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born to the parents of Clifford and Ethel Smith. Gladys was the 3rd oldest of sixteen children.

Gladys attended Lincoln Heights School Elementary and graduated from Lincoln Heights High School with honors. She received her associate's degree in nursing. Gladys worked at Holmes Hospital as an Emergency Room Tech for many years.

Gladys, the Diva she was, always had a flare for fashion. Gladys always made everything look good and elegant. Gladys was a member of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. She later became a member of Allen Temple A.M.E Church.

Gladys departed this life quietly on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Maple Knoll Village.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Walter Herbert; siblings: Clifford Smith Jr., Daisy Columbus, Richard Smith, Lizzie Ruth Smith, Larry Smith, infant at birth and Adam (Sekou) Smith, infant at birth.

Gladys leaves to treasure her memories: her son, Francis Doe of Minneapolis, MN; stepdaughters: Valerie G. Davis and Glenda J. Humphrey; stepson, Walter Ted Herbert III, and a host of stepchildren; siblings, Ellaweed McClelland, Princess Smith, Howard Smith, Sarah Brown, Edward Smith, Julia Smith and Marie Smith along with a host of nieces and nephews.