Glenda Frederick Oldham passed peacefully, surrounded by love, on Sunday, August 16th, 2026. Her exceptional life spanned 84 years of spreading love, pursuing knowledge, nurturing her people, teaching others, and creating beautiful things. Glenda exemplified grace, humility, strength, compassion, and elegance. She was an extraordinary being who will continue to inspire others.

Born July 15, 1942, in Florence, Alabama, Glenda always considered Florence home. As a teen, her parents moved to Savannah,Tennessee, where she graduated Salutatorian from Central High School. After graduating, she attended Memphis State College. She returned to Florence to attend the University of North Alabama where she received many academic awards while obtaining her teaching and art degrees. Glenda taught at Burrell Slater, Bradshaw, and Coffee before moving to Marietta, Georgia, where she spent many more years teaching at McEachern and Harrison High Schools. She positively impacted the lives of thousands of students while inspiring in them an appreciation for literature, writing, and art. After living in Marietta for many years, she and her beloved Royce returned to Florence in 2007. Interestingly, they bought a beautiful historic home that Glenda had lived in as an infant, and she filled it with exquisite collections of antiques and objets d’art she carefully curated over the years. She had a gift for making everything beautiful, and it was evident in everything about her.

In 1974, Glenda married Royce Edward Oldham, the absolute love of her life.They created a wonderful life filled with family, friends, travel, and unconditional love. A consummate hostess, Glenda enjoyed entertaining in her home, creating magical Christmas memories for her children and grandchildren, and having friends and family over for delicious meals. She was a fantastic cook, and we will forever talk about all of our favorites that she prepared throughout our lives. She loved and respected the natural world and marveled in the simple joy of flowers in the garden and the house, shells, rocks, and creatures, especially the many cherished and spoiled dogs who were lucky enough to be Oldhams.

After retiring and returning to Florence, Glenda enjoyed being a member of many organizations, including study clubs, bridge clubs, charitable organizations, and social clubs. She was always on the go, and she loved every minute of it.

Her greatest joy was her family; she loved us deeply. Left to continue her legacy and cherish the memories include her husband, Royce Oldham; children, Angie Oldham-Swanner (Greg), Craig Stephens (Shalini), Russell Oldham (Linda), and Suzanne Musgrove (Billy); grandchildren, Maggie Sloan (Curtis), Kayla Sloan (Patrick), Anna Stephens, Will Musgrove, Sims Musgrove, Gregory Swanner (Allison), and Lindsay Lynch (Bryan); great grandchildren, Ava, Olivia, and Chandler. She was preceded in death by her parents James Marvin and Vaudia Frederick.

As requested, her life will be celebrated with a small family gathering at a later date.

The family would like to thank the most wonderful team of caregivers we could have possibly asked for. We have so much love and gratitude for Marlowe, Veronica, Carol, Monica, and Brittney, as well as the exceptional hospice team at Adoration including Loretta and Matt. We couldn’t have done it without y’all.

She “Walks in beauty, like the night” (Byron), she sang to us “An Honest Lullaby” (Joan Baez), and she will stay “Forever Young” (Joan Baez/Bob Dylan).

A beautiful life is complete. Well done, Mom.