Gladys Bernice Pounds

Gladys Bernice Pounds, 74, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, with her daughter, Melissa, and her sister, Virginia, by her side. She had faced many years of serious health challenges with remarkable resilience, gratitude, and an unfailingly positive spirit.

Gladys was born June 3, 1952, in Toledo to Ada Mae and Wilfred O. Myers. The youngest of seven children, she attended Hamilton Elementary and Woodward High School.

Being the youngest of seven meant that Gladys grew up alongside some of her first nieces and nephews. Long before she became a mother and grandmother herself, she was their babysitter, companion, and, most importantly, "Aunt Glady." By the time her own daughter, Melissa, came along, she was the second youngest among the cousins. As those nieces and nephews grew up and had children and grandchildren of their own, Aunt Glady's place in the family continued to grow, eventually spanning several generations. A quick phone call from Gladys was often simply an opportunity to say, "I love you."

Gladys eventually married the love of her life, Dewey Pounds, who preceded her in death. Together they built a life with her daughter, Melissa, to whom Dewey was simply Dad. For years, Gladys, Dewey, Melissa, and Gladys's mother, Ada, worked the flea-market circuit together. Dewey was the collector of the family, and among the treasures Gladys held onto from those years was their vintage jukebox.

Gladys worked as a cook and server, including many years at the Yum Yum, where customers and co-workers became family. Before her health began to limit her activities, she was active and social-even though she never drove-and enjoyed flea markets, car shows, playing cards, and simply being around people.

Gladys's world was filled with family. She treasured the lifelong bonds she shared with her siblings and the nieces and nephews who knew and loved her as Aunt Glady. Her only daughter, Melissa, held her own special place in Gladys's life, and she absolutely adored her grandson, Dustin. One of her proudest recent moments was seeing him graduate from high school this past May.

Over many years, Gladys faced one serious health challenge after another. Her resilience through it all was remarkable. Even when those around her could see that life had become difficult, she rarely complained. She remained upbeat, appreciative, and interested in the people around her, finding reasons to be grateful and making sure the people she loved knew it. Throughout those years, her daughter Melissa was her devoted caregiver being by her side her through countless challenges, recoveries, and changes.

When Gladys's health declined for the final time, Hospice of Northwest Ohio provided the care and comfort she needed, allowing her to spend her last days peacefully.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Melissa Myers; grandson, Dustin Tabor II; sister, Virginia Schondel; nieces, Margie, Polly, Sandy, Teresa, Julie, and Mary Ann; nephews, Wilfred, Harry, Mark, Gary, Fred, Billy, and Joe; and many great-nieces and great-nephews and countless great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Pounds; her parents, Ada Mae and Wilfred O. Myers; brothers, Bill (Virginia) Myers and Harry (Angie) Myers; sisters, Mary Ann Ceglio (Kenneth), Alice Silcox, and Esther Myers; son-in-law, Gary Schondel; and niece, Christine Balez.

Family will welcome friends and loved ones to a Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Jamie Farr Park (Riverside Park) Community Building, 2140 N. Summit St., Toledo, Ohio 43611. Those wishing to remember Gladys may make a contribution in her memory to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, whose care brought her comfort in her final days, or, if they prefer, help Melissa with expenses following her mother's passing through Venmo.

For those who knew her best, Gladys will be remembered not for the hardships she endured, but for the way she lived through them-with resilience, gratitude, an enduring love of family, and an extraordinary ability to remain positive. To generations of nieces and nephews, she will always be Aunt Glady.