Gladys Zonelle Deaton Addison

It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gladys Zonelle Deaton Addison who went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 11, 2025 at the young age of 86 years. She completed her journey on earth and was rewarded with her heavenly passage to the Lord’s Kitchen. She passed peacefully surrounded by love after a life beautifully lived.

Born in Tallulah Lodge, Georgia on October 15, 1938 to William Harrison and Lula Shirley Deaton, Gladys grew up in a strong hard working Christian family in Old Madison South Carolina. At age 12 her Daddy died on the farm leaving Gladys, her brother Lewis and mother Lula to tend to the home place with assistance from her older sisters (Shirley O’Dell, Manola Johnson, Savola McCurry and Margaret Grafton) and brothers (William Harrison Deaton Jr and France Deaton) and their families.

After Graduating from Cleveland High School, Gladys worked at Coats and Clark on Rose Lane, in Toccoa, GA where she met and married Melvin Addison on July 27, 1957. Together they built a home based on Love, Laughter, Kindness and Work Ethic. Her cunning wit, keen intellect and intelligence served her well throughout her career which began in the Quilling Department at Coats and Clark where she hit her production goal every week.  Later she honed her business and accounting skillset as she and her husband started Melvin Addison’s Carpet Cleaner’s in 1969 and later purchased the Wigwam Dive-In in Toccoa.  Gladys finished her career as an accomplished mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She poured her heart into her work striving to be top quartile in all endeavors and expected the same from her two children.

She is survived by Melvin Addison (Lake Hartwell Islands); children, Eddie Melvin Addison (Renae) Martin Georgia, Lisa Renee Mote (Billy) Toccoa, Georgia; grandchildren, Eddie Melvin Addison II (Katie) Toccoa, Georgia, Hunter Gaston Addison (Joanna) Commerce, Georgia, Alexandra Lee Wyatt (Matthew) Eastanollee Georgia, Emily Regan Mote Toccoa Georgia; great-grandchildren, Rhett Hunter Addison, Myles Alexander Addison, Blakely Helen Wyatt.

Her life was a living example of loyalty, intestinal fortitude, grace, compassion and unwavering faith. As exhibited by her final statement: “ I am saved and believe that Christ died on the cross for my sins, and I am Heaven Bound.  I don’t mind dying….I just don’t want to leave y’all!!  Her love was our shelter, her wisdom our guide, though she is gone she will live forever in our hearts. 

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 15, 2025 at 2 o’clock in the Hillcrest Chapel of Acree Davis Funeral Home with the Reverend Jerrell Beatty and the Reverend Chad Smith officiating.   The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Terry McCurry, Josh Outz, Steve Johnson, Greg Grafton, David Wessinger, Eddie Addison II and Hunter Addison.

The family will receive friends at the Acree-Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday from 12 noon until the service time. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.acree-davisfh.com.

Interment will follow in the Stephens Memorial Gardens with the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of the arrangements for Gladys Deaton Addison.