November 14, 2017

Linn County News
Published Nov. 15, 2017
Gladys J. Demott Millsap, age 97, died peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017, at Celestial Gardens in Anaheim, Calif. Gladys was born on Oct. 30, 1919, in rural Blue Mound township and was the second of five children born to Joseph Daniel Demott and Ruth May Sawyer Demott.
Gladys attended both rural and Blue Mound schools and graduated from Blue Mound High School, class of 1937. Following her high school graduation, Gladys attended Fort Scott Community College for two years, majoring in secretarial skills, and then became the secretary to the Linn County Farm Bureau agent until marriage.
On May 21, 1944, Gladys was united in marriage to James Harold Millsap, a successful farmer in Centerville township. To that union, three sons were born: James Robert, John Harold and Jerome Lee.
In 1958, the family moved to Southern California where her family continues to reside. Gladys found employment with S & W Fine Foods where she worked for 20 years as an executive secretary. Gladys and Harold divorced in 1980, and she remained single for the remainder of her life.
After retirement, Gladys enjoyed visiting many parts of the world including Alaska, Mexico, New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Gladys is preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Joe Demott; and former husband James Harold Millsap.
She is survived by two sisters, Anna “Elberta” Evans (99) and Cleo “Daisy” Burris (90); one brother, Howard Elwood Demott (95); three sons, James Robert (Sandra), John Harold (Jackie) and Jerome Lee; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Gladys’ ashes will rest next to her parents Joe and Ruth Demott at Mound City Woodlawn Cemetery. Interment will be on Dec. 11, 2017.