* Original story by Jeff Schrembs 2017 All Rights Reserved & published with the       expressed written permission of Mr. Jeffery Schrembs

        April 25, 2017 is the 105th birthday of Gladys Love (Smith) Presley who most know as the beloved mother of Elvis Presley. Hence Gladys was born on April 25, 1912 and (sadly) died on August 14, 1958 at the age (that everyone believed was right/truthful/correct/etc.) of 42 years old. However, she died at the age of 46 years old on August 14, 1958.

Depending on the source(s) the reason Gladys changed her age was; in order to marry Vernon Presley and becoming a closer  age of Vernon, to seemingly appear to be younger to her friends/fellow church members/etc., because she was illiterate (i.e. could not read, could not write, could not drive a car, never had a drivers license, etc.), and/or to maximize benefits to what extent has been lost to history. *** Note – I recommend, and encourage, everyone to seek out – purchase – read – tell others about – etc. the exceptional books about Elvis/Gladys/Vernon/Memphis Mafia/etc. by Alanna Nash which shed some light on these subject matters. Here is the link via Amazon Author Alanna Nash’s books on Amazon

I have, over a time span of approximately six years, viewed/read/listened to/ etc. just about everything related to Gladys, Vernon, and Elvis. Looking at her pictures as a young woman you see a dark haired, dark eyed, vert attractive young woman, favorable complexion, youth radiating from her skin,  with a desirable figure ( no disrespect intended just stating a fact) and a smile that invites you into her…soul. Very beautiful, individually and collectively, photographs which clearly show the similarities to Elvis.

Other photographs, taken after Elvis received his Official United States Military Draft notice which was served on the 3rd week in December of 1957 their first Christmas at Graceland, show every emotion in her face (swollen with reddish imprints that allowed her tears and lack of sleep to be channeled away from her eyes) .

The days leading up to Elvis’ being physically drafted into the US Military, and initially reporting to basic training in Texas for the US Army but ultimately being ordered to be assigned to Germany, tore into Gladys with great pains. Great tournament. Great uncertainty. Great worry. And even triggering  the horrendous events of January 8, 1935 when her firstborn son Jessie Garon Presley was born “stillborn” meaning he was born dead. Also, triggering her inconsolable heartbreak over losing another child a few years after Elvis was born (Note – Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 and was the second child delivered with Jessie Garon Presley being stillborn). Then came the life changing news, from her doctor, that she would never again be able to carry a child to term which meant never being able to have another child. This is but one of the reasons from the special relationship between Gladys and Elvis which included her unrelenting love/devotion to Elvis and vice versa.

There is so much to write about concerning Gladys so THANK YOU for visiting and please let others know about this site, http://www.ElvisCollector.info our primary and award winning Elvis Presley website, http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums,org the premier Elvis Presley forum, and join (for free) the Official Elvis Presley fan club designated by Graceland (a fact we truly appreciate),

To be continued…

Take care and may God bless you

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info  (100% free)

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