Gladiola L. Oaks

Gladiola Little, also lovingly known to her family as "Sue," was born on November 6, 1944, in Newport News, Virginia, to Hattie Ola Flowers Little and LeeRoy Little and entered into the Lord's presence on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Sue was educated in the Newport News School District, where she graduated from Huntington High School in 1963 and later earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Virginia State College (University) in 1967.

Gladiola met the love of her life, Albert Leigh, and they married at Langley Air Force Base in 1964. Gladiola and Albert supported each other through life’s adventures, including relocating between military bases in South Dakota and Maryland while Albert served in the U.S. Air Force. Together, they built a loving home in Harrisburg, Pa., and raised three children.

Throughout her career, Gladiola briefly worked as a substitute teacher in the Tidewater area, sharing her knowledge and kindness with students in the classroom.

After spending several years at the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Gladiola took an opportunity and accepted a position as a computer programmer at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Her 25-year dedication and work ethic were evident to all who knew her as "Glad."

Gladiola was a woman of many interests, embracing life with enthusiasm and curiosity. As a devoted child of God, Sue was a member of the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church (GZMBC). She took great pride in serving on several ministries, such as the Senior Usher Board Ministry, ensuring that every visitor felt welcomed; serving alongside her husband in the Media Ministry, where she distributed audio tapes to college students to help them stay connected to their faith and church community; and the Golden Years Ministry, which focused on educational topics related to seniors, supported outreach initiatives, and participated in day trips to Sight & Sound Theatre and Paper Mill Playhouse. Her favorite GZMBC tradition was attending Watch Night services on New Year's Eve, which provided time for reflection and welcoming the new year with a renewed mind.

An avid reader, Gladiola anticipated new book releases on The New York Times Best Sellers List. She was often seen at her local library picking up books or audio tapes on hold. Never one to keep a good story to herself, she would reveal the best plot twists from her favorite novels. She once shared with family, "I wanted to be a librarian so I could read all the time, but then I realized that librarians were too busy."

Gladiola also had a competitive spirit—whether playing bingo, watching tennis, or "trash-talking" during the basketball and football seasons.

Unless she was catching up on the latest game shows or watching reruns of Perry Mason, Gladiola was always “on the go,” forming lifelong friendships. She never wanted to miss a day trip, holiday party, or Spanish class at the Friendship Senior Citizen Center. Gladiola also looked forward to meeting up with former PHFA co-workers for an evening dinner at the Harrisburg Hilton, where laughter was always in abundance.

Music was a constant source of happiness in her life, with Motown classics playing in the background. Gladiola loved soul line dancing and never missed an opportunity to get on the dance floor.

Gladiola loved reminiscing about the old days with family, sharing wisdom, laughter, and cherished memories. Even on road trips, she had a role—proudly taking on the title of "backseat driver," offering solicited or unsolicited navigation tips with a smile and a laugh.

But nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her grandchildren. “Grandma” supported them at special events, offered words of encouragement, and shared her infectious laugh, which will forever echo in their hearts.

Gladiola leaves behind loving and cherished memories: daughter Kimberly Oaks-Wing of Folsom, PA; son Anthony Oaks (Atiya) of Charlotte, NC; daughter Shayla Oaks-Rester (Jason) of Harrisburg, PA; grandchildren Kendryck (Kenny), Julian, Anthony Tamir, Tamia, Tamar, Nyomi, Samiya, and Gavin; brother-in-law Pinkney Rush of VA; uncles Robert and Earl Brown (Geraldine) of MD; aunts Melvina Stanscil and Linda Brown of DC; nephews Joseph Thomas (Annette) of NC, William Daniels (Jackie) of VA, and Haskell Oaks (Chanique) of NC; and several other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Leigh Oaks; uncle David "Biggie" Brown; sister-in-law Jessie B. Rush; and brother-in-law Haskell "Bud" Oaks.

Mrs. Oaks' Celebration of Life services will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 212 N. Progress Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109, with viewing from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral at 11:00 a.m.

Please keep the family of Ms. Oaks in your thoughts and prayers.