On Thursday, June 9, 2022, retired AGWM missionary Gladys Bliss, age 90, was called home to the Lord. She is preceded in death by her husband Mark, who passed December 18, 2017.

Gladys Ann (Helm) Bliss was born May 30, 1932, in Stanton Island, New York to George and Bertha (Hennings) Helm. She married William Mark Bliss on June 3, 1953. From 1955 to 1960, they pioneered a church on Long Island, New York. Beginning in 1960 they directed a leper colony in Liberia, and in 1965, they were appointed as AGWM missionaries to the Middle East, serving in Iran. There they focused on literature distribution and training students at a Bible school they launched. In 1969, while in Iran, their three biological children, Karen, Debbie, and Mark Jr., were killed in a tragic car accident on the field, but the Blisses remained determined to serve the Lord and continue His vision for their ministry, which they did by serving in Bangladesh, and by serving an Iranian church in England. While in Bangladesh, they adopted a daughter, Melody. They continued their missions work until their retirement in 1995.

Gladys is predeceased by her husband, Mark, and by their daughter Melody. She is survived by her grandsons, Michael William Bliss and Skyler Tristan Shell, granddaughter, Destiny Aaliya Shell, and one great-granddaughter, Sapphira Rose.

The visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Maranatha Chapel (233 East Norton Road in Springfield, Missouri) with the memorial service following at 2 p.m. Gravesite service will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.