Gladys “Happy” Ryals

Gladys Emma Webster Ryals, 78, known to her many loved ones as “Happy”, passed away at home with family by her side on July 22, 2012. She leaves behind her two beloved daughters, Susan Christine Thomas of Las Vegas and Lisa Alene Ryals of Yakima, WA; her sister, Susan Mary Ellis of Washington D.C.; two nieces, four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.  She was born in Camden, NJ on May 24, 1934, but was raised just outside of Philadelphia in the suburb of Lansdowne, PA. After graduating high school, Gladys worked and modeled for the Ayres Advertising Agency in Philadelphia.  While visiting her sister who was attending the University of Nevada Reno, she met and later married the star center for the university’s football team, Noah Walter Ryals.  They moved to Las Vegas in 1957 and later divorced in 1961.  After divorcing, Gladys worked day and night to raise her two daughters while continuing her education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she earned her Associate degree in accounting.  For the past 25 years, Gladys worked as a loyal employee and comptroller for Centaur Art Galleries.  Her greatest joy in life was spoiling her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her cats.  She also loved to travel and visited countries such as Ireland, England, and Africa.  Gladys will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her.  A visitation will be held at 9 a.m with the funeral service following at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 30 at La Paloma Funeral Services, 5450 Stephanie St., Suite 110.  Graveside service will immediately follow at Davis Memorial Park, 6200 S. Eastern.  In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations be made in her memory to Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, P.O. Box 30158, Las Vegas, NV 89173 or at www.hcws.org.