Gladys Atkinson Vinzani

Gladys Atkinson Vinzani, 87, of Florence, SC, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Mrs. Vinzani was born in October 6, 1929 in Brittons Neck, SC, a daughter of the late Ebbie Johnson Atkinson and Carrie Belle Altman Atkinson. She graduated as valedictorian of Brittons Neck High school and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Winthrop University. She taught elementary school at Arden Elementary in Columbia and in Florence at the Florence County Home for Crippled Children, Delmae Heights and Christian Assembly. Mrs. Vinzani was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, President of St. Anthony’s Women’s Club, taught Sunday School, was a Charter Member of the Friends of St. Anthony’s School and was named Catholic Woman of the Year for the state of South Carolina. Raised Methodist, Mrs. Vinzani was awarded a Special Membership in the Women’s Society of Christian Service by the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church. She was named Volunteer of the Year by McLeod Hospital and was involved in the establishment of Hospice Care in Florence and was a Hospice volunteer for over 10 years.She served on the Alumni Board of Winthrop University and was named Citizen of the Year by the Florence Civitan Club for outstanding achievement and unselfish service to the betterment of the Florence Community. She and her husband, Theodore Dominic Vinzani, were married for 64 years.In addition to her husband, she is survived by her 4 sons, Theodore Dominic “Ted” (Pam) Vinzani of Milwaukee, WI, Steven Paul Vinzani of Asheville, NC, Michael Jeffrey “Jeff” (Victoria) Vinzani of Charleston, SC and Timothy Mark “Tim” (Debbie) Vinzani; grandchildren, Evan Dominic Vinzani, Rianna Karen Vinzani, Mark Christopher Vinzani, Spencer Bradley Wright, Michael Jeffrey Vinzani, Jr. and Jackson Dominic “Jack” Vinzani; brother, Billy Atkinson; and sister, Pauline Edwards. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Francis “At” Atkinson, Aldrich Atkinson, John Q. Atkinson and E. J. Atkinson; and sisters, Miriam Boulware, Ellen Fridy, and Carrie Belle Sells. Funeral Services will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2536 West Hoffmeyer Road, Florence, SC29501. Please sign the tribute wall for Mrs. Vinzani at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.