Jonesboro - Gladys Ione Dowd Burns died Monday, January 25, 2016, just short of her 90th birthday. She was born in King City, Missouri to the late Loretta Lilly andErith Markle Dowd on January 31, 1926. She married William Arthur Burns. Gladys was an Elder Emeritus at Highland Drive Christian Church. She had a lovely soprano voice and played ukulele with a local group. She took some art classes at Arkansas State University, where she also enrolled in her son, Richard Burns\u0027 folklore class. In addition, she worked as an LVN and an activity director. In recent years she won an annual beauty pageant at St. Elizabeth\u0027s Place where she resided and was lovingly cared for by the staff. Gladys adored her family, had a devout and caring nature and loved to inject humor into the lives of those around her. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ralph and Candace Burns of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Richard and Marcia Burns of Jonesboro, Bill and Lorie Burns and David and Anne Burns all of Oklahoma City and Kathy and Tim Ittenbach of Ocoee, Florida; nine grandchildren, William, Ellen, Robert, Greg (Blanca), Stacy (Adam), Joshua, Carson, Adam (Leah) and Aaron; two great-grandchildren, Hadley and Landin. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Arthur Burns; a son Randall William Burns; three sisters, Lucille, Billie and Jean and a brother, Ralph. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be 5:00 pm, Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. Kelly Craft officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.