Mrs. Gladys Ratcliff Harrien was born October 12, 1937 to Mr. Mearly Ratcliff and Mrs. Pearline O'Neal Ratcliff. She later moved from Jayess, Mississippi (Tylertown) to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where she remained a resident for more than 50 years. Mrs. Harrien was a member of Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Gulfport. She loved her church and church family dearly.

Mrs. Herrien is remembered by her family as being a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Being around her was easy, she simply made you feel that everything was going to be okay. As her family reflects on her life, they recall how funny and easy going that she was. There was never a dull moment with her. Even in her later years, Mrs. Herrien maintained her fashionable style. She was the epitome of a lady. As her grandchildren exclaim, "She was simply Madea to us!" The loss of Mrs. Harrien has dimmed the family's light just a little, but her legacy will live on forever.

Ms. Holmes was proceeded in death by her parents, Mr. Mearly Ratcliff and Mrs. Pearline O'Neal Ratcliff; a son, Vester L. Harrien; a daughter, Regina (Malcolm) Penelton; three brothers, John Ratcliff, Herry Ratcliff, Roscoe Ratcliff; four sisters, Bobby Jean Briggs, Merline Ratcliff, Ernestine Edwards, Christine Briggs; and one grandson, Chris McNair-Johnson.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory; five sons, Richard (Tushima) McNair- , LB (Pat) Harrien, Bill Harrien, Eddie (Edith) Harrien, Howard Earl Harrien, all of Gulfport, Mississippi; three daughters, Brenda J. McNair- Lindsey- Jacksonville, Florida, Fannie Brown- Beaumont, Texas, Rose Harrien- Jackson, Mississippi; one sister, Bertha Hudnall- Gulfport, Mississippi; seven grandchildren, Malcolm, Ulexes, Shaunika, Marlan, Rashad, Richard, Jare', and a host of other relatives, and friends that will miss her dearly.