Gladys "Hap" (Lawson) Roark

Gladys “Hap” Virginia Roark, 94 of Shelby, Montana passed away on July 18, 2018.  Memorial service will be July 28th at 1:00 at the Shelby Whitted Funeral Chapel.

Gladys was born in Hollywood Hills, California to Sara Eugenia and John Henry Lawson on December 15, 1923, but she always celebrated the 14th and 15th. She graduated from Hollywood High School. She married Woodrow Goodrich 1942, in Las Vegas for 15 years. From this union, children Woodrow L. Goodrich Jr., Charles L (Sherry) Goodrich, and Teresa (Dan) Kaleva were born.  Later Gladys married Louis J. Roark in Tijuana, Mexico on January 8, 1959. From this union children Timothy D. Roark, Daniel (Tina) Roark, Brian D. (Brenda) Roark and Colleen L. (Thom) Bryant were born.

Gladys worked at a Chinese restaurant in Hollywood. She retired to become a homemaker and farmer’s wife.  She enjoyed embroidery, her flower garden, crossword puzzles, and reading mysteries. As a child she especially loved true detective magazines. She was very proud of her achievements of being president of the Home Demonstration Club. She was a member of the Methodist Church and a very active member of the Kevin/Sunburst Senior Center and American Legion Auxiliary.

Gladys is survived by all 7 of her children and a very special niece Vena Lawson, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She was proud of the fact that she was the matriarch for five generations. She is proceeded in death by her husband Louis J. Roark, brother John H Lawson, daughter in law Grace Goodrich, grandson David Goodrich, Justin J. Roark, Benjamin J. Roark and great granddaughter Allison J. Hershey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Great Falls Rescue Mission or St. Judes Hospital in her memory.

Reception will follow at the Coyote Club in Shelby. Burial will take place later at the Sunburst Cemetery.