Gladys Atkins Rathbone age 83 of Spruce Pine the Estatoe community went home to be with the Lord, Monday August 10, 2026 at the Mission Hospital in Asheville. Born in Mitchell County, NC she was a daughter of the late Welzie and Lucy Gardner Atkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband David R. Rathbone and five siblings.

Gladys worked as a nurse’s assistant at the Brian Center in Spruce Pine, she was a member of the Estatoe Church of God, she loved playing Piano and singing, crocheting, cooking and baking, drawing and painting and spending time with her family.

Left to cherish her memories is her sons, David Rathbone (Barbara) Easley, SC, Rev. Ronnie Rathbone (Deena) of Mt. Pleasant SC, Rev. Mike Rathbone (Michelle) of Spruce Pine and Rev. Chris Rathbone (Michelle) of Bakersville and daughters Kim McFalls, and Angel Miller both of Spruce Pine. She is also survived by a brother Clarence Atkins (Glenda), sixteen grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday August 15, 2026 at the Bear Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Ronnie Rathbone, Rev. Mike Rathbone and Rev. Chris Rathbone officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until the service hour at the church. A private interment will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Blue Ridge 236 Hospital Drive Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

Henline-Hughes Funeral Service of Bakersville is serving the Rathbone family.