The Honorable Gladys Marie Oakley passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at her home in Bellville, Texas.

She was born on August 15, 1926, in Bleiblerville, Texas. Gladys worked on the family farm tending the corn and cotton fields and helped her family with the many farm animals and chores. She attended the Victoria School as an elementary student where students either walked or rode a horse 2 miles each way. Gladys then attended Bellville High School, and upon graduation, went on to earn her BBA from the University of Houston. She then earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston School of Law in 1957, where she was one of only two women in her graduating class.

She worked for Transco in Houston for many years and was recognized as the National Secretary of the Year where she was honored in New York City. She was President of the Desk and Derrick Club from 1964-1965.

After her marriage to attorney Charles F. Oakley (Chuck), they opened their successful real estate and probate practice in Bellville in 1969. Gladys’ skills as a lawyer and typist (over 200 words per minute) were a great addition to the law practice and community.

Once the first county court at law position was created in Austin County on January 1, 1988, Gladys was the first judge appointed to serve in that position. She presided over the court in excess of 18 years. Gladys was a fixture at the Austin County Courthouse, and had many friends there, including the attorneys who appeared before her and the courthouse staff. She did her best to adjudicate her cases in a timely and fair manner. She was active in the legal community, long after retiring from the County Court at Law position, where she continued to serve as a visiting judge in Austin County, Fort Bend County, Waller County, and other counties that required her services. She continued to serve in this capacity until she reached age 90.

Gladys loved to travel and took many trips across the country and to Europe. She was an avid reader and loved books about local and Texas history, including politics. She especially enjoyed Texas politics. She was one of the first supporters of Bill Clements’ successful campaign in 1979 as the first Texas Republican Governor in 105 years. She worked tirelessly at the polls each election period for many years and was a delegate to the Republican Convention.

Gladys served on many legal committees, including the Juvenile Justice Committee, and she was the Treasurer of the Austin County Bar Association until her death. Gladys volunteered and lent her support both financially and otherwise to many charitable agencies, including the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Austin County Fair Association, Bluebonnet Society, Bellville Ladies Golf Association, St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School, local fire department, and the Bellville Hospital Foundation. She was a huge supporter of the Austin County Boys and Girls Club, where she volunteered her time as a reader and tutor. She served on the boards of many of these associations.

Gladys never met a stranger, and she remembered everyone’s name along with the names of their extended relatives. She attended most of the weddings, baby showers and funerals of her many friends and relations. Gladys could be depended on to bake cakes, pies, cookies and other treats, and her Italian cream cakes and home-made pickles were known to fetch serious money at the numerous charity benefits and auctions when she was asked to donate them. Gladys would always buy tickets to the various sports and charity benefits, and could always be counted on to buy cookies, a side of beef or a pig from an aspiring child entrepreneur.

Gladys was a very religious person and was active in St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she sang for many years in the church choir. She loved music, especially country western tunes, and she could still sing some Czech songs that she remembered from childhood. She was a very brilliant, caring, strong-willed, and determined person who met every goal she ever set. She was a loving Grandmother (Gigi), and Aunt (Blackie), as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren, nephews and “greats”. She was a lady and a legend, and she will be missed by all her family and friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lola (Albert) Jurchak, her brother Stanley Jurchak and wife, Marge, and her sisters Bernita Buenger and husband Jimmie, and Florence Jurchak, her husband of 34 years, Charles Foster Oakley, and her son Stuart Oakley. She is survived by her daughter Mary Ann Oakley Christensen and her husband, Dr. Robert E. Christensen, and son Charles F. Oakley, Jr., along with her grandchildren Kevin Christensen (Abby), Kent Christensen (Rachel), Michael Christensen (Kelsey), Emily Christensen Yauch (Jason), Andrew Oakley (Lyn), Anthony Oakley (Tenielle), Timothy Oakley (Emma), and great-grandchildren Max, Oliver, Sam, Zac, Crawford, Harrison, Payton, Gracelyn, Nathaniel, Liam, Olivia, Sebastian, and Leo. Gladys is also survived by her nephews Bruce Buenger and wife Cheryl, and Greg Buenger and wife Anneta, along with her great-nephews Jay Buenger (Elizabeth), Clint Buenger (Sarah), Jess Buenger (Amanda), and Justin Buenger, great-niece Kate Buenger, and great-great nephews Jack, and Ryan, and great-great nieces, Addison, Ariella, and Olivia.

The family would like to thank her neighbors, close friends, caretakers, doctors, nurses and hospice personnel who cared for Gladys during her illness.

In lieu of flowers, a remembrance can be made to Gladys’ favorite charities which include the Austin County Boys and Girls Club, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and the Bellville Hospital Foundation.

A Gathering of Family and Friends was held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at the Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville.

A Celebration of Life was held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church with Reverend Phillip Fenton officiating.

Arrangements under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home, P.O. Box 610, 12029 Hwy 36 South, Bellville, Texas 77418 – (979) 865-2424 – www.schmidtfunerals.com.