1918
2012
Gladys Evelyn Bowman Ater
August 9, 1918 – June 20, 2012
Mother was truly an incredible person. She had such a kind spirit that drew people to her with her sweet smile. She instinctively knew who needed her, too, as she ministered to the needs of her friends and acquaintances at her home in Coral Oaks. She would seek out someone who needed a friendly face and listening ear while painfully striding down the hallways with her ever-present walker. We all had no idea how painful is was merely to walk a few steps as she kept her "hurts" internal.
Mom started out her adult life in Springfield, Ohio by learning to sew men's shirts at the local fire house under a WPA program, to help supplement the household income for her mother and younger sister, Donna. No surprise, she became very good at it! She then went to work at a local library and used her calligraphy-like writing skills to print the Dewey-Decimal system on all the books, print out information posters, and no doubt run the place. She had been a life-long and very accomplished musician focusing on the violin. I believe she met my dad during a performance, saw him dance, and fell in love. It took some convincing from my Dad to get her to dance with him, but once that happened they danced throughout their life and 65 year marriage.
Mom bore four children: Ronald George was born about 2 years after their marriage, Gary Alan followed some 4 years later, closely accompanied by Karen Sue 18 months later, then – oops! – along came Kathy Lynn 2-1/2 years after that. She and Dad were pleased with "2 of each" and so that completed the family unit. Included in that family unit were our dogs and cats and whatever stray or dying critter I could drag home to receive her care. She did not like birds! She actually had a fear of them (even before Alfred Hitchcock's movie). But she would still help me mend up the ones I brought home and run from them when they were well enough to fly through the house prior to release.
My parents – bless their souls – decided Florida was a better place than Ohio to raise a family and landed in St. Petersburg for good in 1957. Mom stayed home and raised us all, including my father. Then when I, the youngest, was firmly entrenched in elementary school, she took a job outside the home. She started with a local real estate builder then joined the office of Colonel Charles Moyer, Real Estate Auctioneer. She ran the office for many years until the old Colonel decided to retire. She went back to school and became a salesman, then again to become a broker, worked with another Clearwater developer and opened her own office on Gulf-To-Bay in Clearwater in the late 1970's. She retired in early 1980's and Dad and she moved to Highland Lakes in Palm Harbor. This was the good life with much traveling in their motor homes, golfing, making new and lasting friends, pursuing her many artsy talents and volunteer work with the Palm Harbor Library.
Mom and Dad were introduced to Palm Harbor United Methodist Church in 2000. They both loved the church, the staff and made many, many friends. Both loved the Lord and showed it in everything they did. Mom took various Bible Study classes, worked in the kitchen, front office and wherever she was needed. She loved the Harbor Angles breakfasts and different women's gatherings. Her latest "love" was Pastor Dave's Wednesday night Bible Study. Of course she loved his sermons, but those Wednesday nights were very special to her. Some nights I don't know how she made it out of the car, but once her feet were down, she toughed it out and smiled through the pain to see her cherished church family.
Gladys was the daughter of Augusta Belle Marie Byrkett Bowman. Grandma lived winters in our home (summers in Ohio) until her passing at age 91. She was taught to play the violin by her step-father starting around age 10. She said she did not have a normal childhood as every day after school was practice, practice, practice (at least 6 hours a day). She made sure her children DID have that proper childhood of nonsense and play. She loved classical music but was forced by the economy to play at "hoe downs" and bars for the better money. Of course, that's where her George was to be found.
Mom organized all our many camping trips, starting with the basic Sears canvas tents, pop-ups, pull-behind trailers and finally working up to a fine Class C motor home where travel was done in luxury. She and Dad took many summers traveling west until Dad's health and eyesight forced them to sell the motor home. She took the proceeds of the last camper and bought a 2 week vacation for 10 to Hawaii so she and Dad could celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary with all the children and their spouses on a lovely tropical beach. She loved to fly, so often dragged Dad west again when Ron and Gary moved to New Mexico and Colorado.
Mom could drive a car as well as Mario Andrei, drive a ski boat with 2 skiers in tow, handle a large motor home, fly in Ron's air balloon, and fearlessly teeter on the edge of a boulder atop Gary's Colorado mountain home.
Quite a lady, an incredible mother and wife, caring friend, and wonderful person. And that was Gladys Evelyn Bowman Ater. She is survived by 2 sons, Ronald G. Ater, Gary A. (Linda) Ater; 2 daughters, Karen (Kenneth) LaBrant and Kathy L. Ater; 6 grandchildren, Debbie (John) Gerdes, Steve (Shannon) Ater, Kenneth R. (Sheri) LaBrant, II, Robert M. (Tami) LaBrant, Alan (Tonya) Ater, Lisa (Randy) Rankin and 16 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Suncoast Hospice or Palm Harbor United Methodist Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 6, 2012
Susan Meister
Dear Kathy, Karen, Gary, Ron and the rest of the family. I am so sorry for your loss. Aunt Gladys will always hold a very special place in my heart. It is obvious that she positively affected many. How lucky we all have been to have experienced her. It's great to see all of the photos you've posted here.....such a lovely tribute to an exceptional lady. My prayers have been and will remain with you all. Love, Susan (Gunnell) Meister
June 25, 2012
Anne & Dan Garner
Our prayers are with you. You are loved and missed.
June 24, 2012
Kathy Ater
Mom loved to come to church to see all the people she considered dear to her. We had no idea how much pain she lived in these past few years. But she would tough it up, dress her best and come to her FAMILY gathering of Harbor Angles, Sunday Services followed by Jerry O's Sunday School class and the Wednesday night diners and studies.
As difficult as it was, once her feet hit the church parking lot pavement, a peaceful smile would replace all the painful grimacing. She lived for those hugs and kisses, and I guess I must admit I was somewhat jealous of all the good looking men she attracted to her. She considered all of my girlfriends as her daughters and was so pleased to watch friend's children growing up.
Moving to Coral Oaks some 8 years ago after Dad's passing was one of the smartest moves she made – all by her choice. She had many friends there, old and new, various activities, and finally the safe quite of her own place. She was a very independent woman. Many times she would remind me: “I am the mother, you are the daughter!”
Mom told me after a week in the hospital, fighting to get well, “I love life” “I love people” and she truly did, as we all loved her.
Kathy Ater
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I (Gary) was my Dad's favorite and spent most of my life in that favored position. After Dad's passing I spent most of my time with Mom by telephone as I did not get to Florida often. Our relationship grew from the two to four times a week conversation. I never cared about how many times I heard the same story or of all her health problems. My goal was to have Mom in a better mood at the end of the call than at the beginning.
Mom never ended a call without telling me to tell Linda (my wife) Lisa (my daughter), Randy and Elvis (Lisa's husband and child) that Mom loved them and to give them a kiss from her.
I will miss those calls . . . but will replace them with talking to her through prayer. Mom will always be remembered as my loving mother.
Gary Ater
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Eulogy for Grandma Ater
I would like to start this off by saying that I am a very lucky grandson to have someone like Gladys (Grandma) in my life. She was always supportive, thought the best of people and always had a smile on her face. She was very forgiving too…like the time I backed their golf cart over their mailbox. Grandpa wasn't too impressed, but she just giggled at it and assured me that everything would be all right. Grandma certainly watched out for me and gave me the love and protection that only a grandmother can give. For that and her never ending love for me, I will always be grateful. I try to take kindness like hers and pass it onto the people I meet everyday. She really caused a big butterfly effect with everybody that knew her.
Grandma really retained her adventurous spirit too. When she and Aunt Kathy came down to see me, we had spent one of the days at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Well, one of the attractions was a camel ride….and by god, she wanted to ride that camel. She convinced my dad to ride with her, so up they went. She just rode in the back seat and laughed the whole time. That image of her is the one I will always remember her by.
Truly a remarkable woman and I am glad to have been a part of her life. Something you should take away with you today is a phrase that she always told me “No matter what, always be happy”. So simple yet so true.
Alan Ater
June 23, 2012
Amy Shymkiw
To the Ater Family,
On behalf of the staff at Coral Oaks I would like to extend our sincerest sympathy to you. We will all miss Gladys very much. She was such a pleasure with her warm heart, soft spoken voice and ever present smile. Please accept our condolences to you.
June 23, 2012
Amy Shymkiw
To the Ater Family,
On behalf of the staff at Coral Oaks I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to your family. We will all miss Gladys very much. She was always a pleasure to have with us with her warm heart, soft spoken voice and ever present smile. Please accept our condolences, our thoughts are with you.
June 22, 2012
Marlene Gifford
Ron, Gary, Karen, Kathy and family: It has been many years since I have seen Aunt Gladys. She was my mother's, Laura Bowman Currey,younger sister. When we all lived in Springfield, Oh, we saw each other often. Aunt Gladys even helped to take care of my brother, Jerry Currey, and me (Marlene Currey Gifford), when our mother was ill. Ron was very little at that time. I remember her laugh and of course Uncle George seemed to smile a lot. We had good times together and now have fond memories. I sent a card to her this past Christmas but do not know if she received it. I am sorry to hear of her passing. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
June 22, 2012
Linda Ater
She was the absolute BEST Mother-in Law anyone girl could ever ask for. Kind, loving, accepting and always there whenever I needed to talk or share something. Her love was abundant and she always made me feel as much apart of her family as her own children. The thing I remember about Gladys, is that she was the most incredible business women I have known. Her book-keeping and organization was admired by all. She will be missed and will be in our daily thoughts. We know she is with her George now and is at peace! Gladys, You are loved! Linda
June 22, 2012
Dawn Dillingham
Although it has been many years since I've seen Aunt Gladys, I will always have fond memories of her and Uncle George. I have recently been going through Grandma and Grandpa Currey's photos and have run across many of Gladys and George. Yes, fond memories indeed.
June 22, 2012
JO-ANN AND I WILL MISS HER DEEPLY. WE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO SEE HER, AND BE INVOLVED IN FAMILY FUN. SHE WAS A SECOND MOTHER TO ME. DAVE AND JO-ANN ROSELL.
June 22, 2012
Ron, Gary, Karen, Kathy and rest of the family: Please accept our sincere sympathy. Aunty Gladys was a great woman, a wonderful Aunt and will always remember her great laugh and smile. Love to you all.
Bonnie & Ed Botschner
June 22, 2012
Judy Conover
Aunt Gladys and Uncle George will always be a part of the wonderful memories of the great childhood given to us all by our parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. God Bless You All
Judy and Bob Conover
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