Gladys Shumla Bassett Parlette, age 86, left this life on April 3, 2002, following several years of declining health. Member of the Eastern Star, the American Lebanese Syrian Club of Columbus, and the Kfeirian Reunion. 

Born in Madison, West Virginia, April 22, 1915, her formative years were spent in Williamson, West Virginia, where she graduated from high school before attending Radford College, Roanoke, Virginia. She taught grade school in Williamson for a few years, before taking a defense-related job in Norfolk, Virginia for two years during World War II. Returning to Williamson, she assisted her father in the family-owned business, moving to Columbus in 1945. There, Gladys assisted in running The Town Tavern on Long Street. After a brief two years in California, she began working for the State of Ohio in Columbus, retiring in 1985. 

She is preceded in death by father Abraham Joseph Bassett, mother Rahija Saad Bassett, sister Wadad Bassett Bofysil. She is survived by son Mitchell Parlette; granddaughters Susanna Parlette, Alicia Parlette of Lancaster; sisters Selma Bassett Edinger of Columbus, Alice Bassett Rutherdale and Lorraine Bassett Scott of California; brother Abe J. Bassett of Beavercreek; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gladys was all cheerful and optimistic and like her mother never complained of other people. If she was ever hurt or offended she kept it to herself.
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Gladys, with her sparkling eyes and appealing laughter, will be missed by her family and her many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Kfeirian Scholarship Fund, 25 Hillendale Drive, Huntington, WV 25705.