Lugene Gladney was born March 31, 1922 in Tuscaloosa, AL. The proud daughter of southern share croppers Adam and Bessie Lee (Jones) Gladney, and younger sister of Beatrice Prince. A mixture of things like we all are. Black, Native American, Creole, hard work, and an unshakable mountain of faith. She departed this life February 7th, 2022 at the home of her only golden child, Bessie Mae (Bester) Cook of Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Like her parents Motherdear possessed a divine inner strength and self sufficiency. After High School, she moved to Ypsilanti, MI in her early 20s, during the great migration. Finding work cooking, gardening, and sewing, she enjoyed tailoring masterful suits and choir robes for church folks. Later finding a permanent role as a Cook in the Culinary Education Department at Eastern Michigan University for 17 years, retiring in the late 80s. A sage, her confidant presence naturally attracted the charismatic Army Servicemen Harold George Martin of Philadelphia, PA. They married and remained in love until his death in 1985.

She had such a strong aura about her, such favor, she's the smallest thing but you couldn't miss her energy in a room. She accepted Christ into her life and joined St. John's Baptist Church on January 11th, 1959, where the late Rev. Frank Roberson presided. She later joined St. Mary's Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. TC Duckworth. Motherdear was a talented and devoted speaker, writer, and humanitarian. You could find her conducting outreach at community centers, spreading prayers at nursing homes, and organizing local conferences for the Mother and Mission boards seasonally. When the spirit moved her, she'd play the piano in the morning and hummed her favorite hymns.

Preceded in death by her Husband Harold George Martin of Ypsilanti, MI in 1985, her loving Nephew Willie (Verlee) Prince Sr. of Ypsilanti, MI in 2014, her Sister Beatrice (Sport) Prince of Tuscaloosa, AL in 2018, and her beloved Granddaughter Gloria Jean Bester of Ann Arbor, MI in 2020.

A Mother, a Chef, a Seamstress, a Christian, a faithful soul, poised, stylish, loving, talented, witty, opinionated, and funny are just some of the words that would describe Mother Lugene Gladney and her mission in this lifetime. Deeply honored and beloved by her family and friends. Memories live on in her devoted and sole Daughter Bessie Mae (Arealious) Cook, Granddaughter Patricia (Michael) Lewis, Great-Grand children Jermaine (Heather) Bester, Demetrius Lewis, Kawanza Newman Sr., Patricia (Sunday) Bester III, Tiffanie Newman, and Tempest Portier. Motherdear has four Great-Great Grandsons Jacodi Bester, Jovani Bester, Kawanza Newman Jr., and Quintin Alexander. Along with two Great-Great Granddaughters, Kasidee Bester, and Kameryn Newman-White. Accompanied by a host of beautiful Nieces and Nephews in her hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL.