Gladys Blanche Mims Dwellingham was born to the late Ed and Hattie Blanchard in Bogalusa on May 29, 1916 and called back to Jesus September 19, 2011. She accepted Jesus as her personal savior at a young age. She was married to Chester Emerson Dwellingham on October 3, 1936. To this union, one son, Herschel Edmund Dwellingham was born on November 2, 1944. She was a devout member of Bethlehem Baptist Church , as well as their oldest member. Mrs. Dwellingham taught a young Adult Sunday School class for 70 years. She also played piano for the senior choir and for the Bogalusa Community Chorus. She received her BA and MA in Christian education from united theological seminary in Monroe, La. A retired teacher, she began teaching at the age of 18, putting in 40 years teaching the children of Washington Parish. She earned degrees in education from Southern University of Louisiana and Xavier University. Some of the schools she taught in include Wesley Ray, Poplas Elementary, and in Franklinton for the Washington Parish School Board. Mrs. Dwellingham was also one of the first black teachers sent to teach in white schools during integration. She experienced no problems with her fellow white teachers and has described her experience at Denhamtown school as "lovely". She also served as treasurer of the Washington Parish Literacy Council, and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Bogalusa Civic League.
Sister dwellingham was preceded in death by her husband, Chester E. Dwellingham, as well as her parents, Ed and Hattie Mims, and five of her siblings; Myrtle, Lester, Bernice, Dalton, and Donald. She leaves behind her youngest brother, Rev.Dr. Raymond (Shirley) Mims, pastor of Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church; her only child, Herschel E. (Mary Anne) Dwellingham; three grandchildren, Herschel (Lynette), Erschel and Christopher (Tanya) Dwellingham; eight great grandchildren, Alva, Angelique, Asheree, Christopher, Marcus, Mikael, Peighton and Ryan; and one great-great grandchild, Skie; special children Rodney and Katheleen Robertson and family; special friends Mrs. Georgine Lundie, Ms. Marlene Turner-Holt and celeste young and her family; and nephews, nieces, andgreat nephews and great nieces, great-great nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-great nieces too mumerous to mention here.Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 23 3-7p.m. at Bethlehem B.C. Funeral Service will be at Bethclehem Baptist church Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. Rev. christopher matthews, officiating. Interment will be at bogalusa cemetery. www.cookrichmondfuneralhome.com or cookrichmond@facebook.com