Gladybelle Ensminger

Gladybelle Gruber Ensminger, who was born on January 1, 1939, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2022, surrounded by family. Gladybelle was the beloved wife of John Clifford Ensminger, Sr., who preceded her in death. She was the mother of five children, Jami Summersgill Kampen, Shawn Summersgill Thibodeaux (Collins), Shari Summersgill Barrios (Gregg), James Hanson Summersgill, IV (Melissa) and Les Summersgill, MD (Brittany) and 3 stepchildren, John Clifford Ensminger, Jr. (Patricia), Susan Ensminger Jenkins (Steve) and Paula Ensminger Gandy (Thomas) She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Katie Kampen, Kellie Kampen, Lexie Thibodeaux, Ash Thibodeaux, James Gregg Barrios, MD (Mary), Briggs Barrios, Hannah Summersgill, Isabella Summersgill, Emily Ensminger Casteel (Mac), Mae Ensminger Loomis (Edward), Tracy Ensminger, John Grant Jenkins (Natalie), Allen Jenkins (Rebecca), Davis Jenkins, Annemichael Jenkins,Anna Magee Gandy Ewing (Lane) and Robert Gandy (Kaitlin), and 9 great grandchildren.

Glady was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Ada Gruber and her grandson, John Clifford Ensminger, III. She was also preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, James Hanson “Sonny” Summersgill, III.

Glady was born in New Orleans, and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. She attended Newcomb College, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She spent many years living in Golden Meadow, Louisiana, where she raised her children. After marrying John, she moved back to her hometown of Monroe, where she loved her life of service, community and family. She served on the advisory boards of North Monroe Community Hospital in Monroe, Community Bank of South Lafourche, was a state board member of United Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana, past president of the Golden Meadow Women’s Club, and on the Board of Commissioners of South Lafourche Special Education District. But most of all, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the blended Summersgill-Ensminger clan, a job she embraced with love. All those children! “Honey” or “GG” will be missed always.

The family would like to thank Sharon and Larry Braggs for all their years of service to our mom. And we appreciate the care provided by Serenity Care Providers, Amanda Brown, Pat Bynum and Mitzie Smith. And to Nola @ Home Care in New Orleans and April Williams for their gentleness and compassion during her last days.

A Funeral Mass was held on January 29 in Metairie, Louisiana, where Gladybelle’s life was celebrated by lifelong friend, Abbott Justin Brown, OSB. Burial will be Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery. at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Michael Special School, 1522 Chippewa Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. stmichaelspecialschool.com.