Gladys Presley is best known as the mother of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.
She was his biggest fan, his closest confidant, and his most influential mentor.
Gladys gave him her love, her faith, and her musical talent.
She was also his tragic loss, as she died at the age of 46, leaving him heartbroken and devastated.
But Gladys Presley was not an only child.
She had eight siblings, who were also born and raised in poverty and hardship in rural Mississippi.
They were her friends, her rivals, and her supporters.
They shared her joys, her sorrows, and her secrets.
They also played a role in Elvis Presley’s life, as they helped him with his career, his family, and his legacy.
In this article, we will reveal the untold story of Gladys Presley’s siblings, and how they shaped Elvis Presley’s life.
You will learn about their names, their personalities, their achievements, and their struggles.
You will also discover how they influenced Elvis Presley’s music, his style, and his character.
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Lillian Smith
She was the oldest sister of Gladys, and she was also a singer.
She performed with her husband, Earl Fortenberry, in a gospel group called The Fortenberry Trio.
She was close to Gladys and Elvis, and she often visited them in Memphis.
She died in 1993 at the age of 87.
Travis Smith
He was the oldest brother of Gladys, and he was also a musician.
Travis played the guitar and the harmonica, and he taught Elvis some chords and songs when he was a child.
He was also a carpenter and a farmer, and he lived in Tupelo, Mississippi.
He died in 1988 at the age of 80.
Effie Smith
Effie Smith was born on June 15, 1909, in Mississippi, to Bob Smith and Doll Mansell, who were first cousins and of Native American and French descent.
She was the second oldest sister of Gladys Presley, and she shared her passion for music.
She was also a singer, and she sang with her husband, James Smith, in a gospel group called The Smith Family.
They performed in churches, festivals, and radio shows, and they recorded several albums and songs. They also had four children, who inherited their musical talent.
Effie was also a seamstress and a homemaker, and she took care of her family and her home. She was a devout Christian, and she had a strong faith and a kind heart.
She was close to Gladys and Elvis, and she supported them in their careers and their lives. She lived in Memphis, Tennessee, where she had a comfortable and happy life.
Effie died on April 12, 1991, at the age of 82, after a long illness.
She was buried next to her husband, who had died in 1986, in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis.
Johney L. Smith
Johney L. Smith was born on April 19, 1922, in Mississippi, to Bob Smith and Doll Mansell, who were first cousins and of Native American and French descent.
He was the second oldest brother of Gladys Presley, and he shared her passion for music.
Johney was also a musician, and he played the guitar and the mandolin.
He performed with his wife, Ruby Smith, in a country band called The Smith Brothers.
They played in clubs, fairs, and radio shows, and they recorded several albums and songs.
They also had three children, who inherited their musical talent.
Johney was also a mechanic and a truck driver, and he worked hard to support his family and his home. He was a devout Christian, and he had a strong faith and a kind heart.
He was close to Gladys and Elvis, and he supported them in their careers and their lives.
He lived in Tupelo, Mississippi, where he had a comfortable and happy life.
He died on July 20, 1968, at the age of 46, after suffering a heart attack
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Lavell Smith
He was the third oldest brother of Gladys, and he was also a musician.
He played the guitar and the fiddle, and he performed with his wife, Mary Smith, in a bluegrass band called The Smith Family.
Lavell was also a carpenter and a farmer, and he lived in Tupelo, Mississippi.
He died in 2000 at the age of 83.
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Retha Smith
She was the third oldest sister of Gladys, and she was also a singer.
Retha Smith sang with her husband, John Smith, in a gospel group called The Smith Family.
She was also a nurse and a teacher, and she lived in Memphis, Tennessee.
She died in 2004 at the age of 86.
Tracey D Smith
He was the youngest brother of Gladys, and he was also a musician.
Tracey D Smith played the guitar and the banjo, and he performed with his wife, Betty Smith, in a country band called The Smith Brothers.
He was also a carpenter and a farmer, and he lived in Tupelo, Mississippi.
He died in 2010 at the age of 82.
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Clettes Presley
She was the youngest sister of Gladys, and she was also a singer.
She sang with her husband, Vester Presley, who was Elvis Presley’s uncle, in a gospel group called The Presley Family.
She was also a beautician and a florist, and she lived in Memphis, Tennessee.
She died in 2014 at the age of 94.
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The Influence of Gladys Presley’s Siblings on Elvis Presley
Gladys Presley’s siblings had a significant influence on Elvis Presley, both personally and professionally.
They were his relatives, his friends, and his mentors.
They taught him music, they supported his career, and they helped him cope with his fame and his loss.
Some of the ways that Gladys Presley’s siblings influenced Elvis Presley were:
They introduced him to music
Gladys Presley’s siblings were all musical, and they exposed Elvis to various genres and styles of music, such as gospel, country, bluegrass, and blues.
The siblings also taught him how to play instruments, such as the guitar, the harmonica, and the mandolin.
They encouraged him to sing and to develop his own voice and style.
They also performed with him and for him, and they gave him feedback and advice.
They supported his career
Gladys Presley’s siblings were proud of Elvis and his success, and they supported him in his career.
They attended his concerts, they bought his records, and they promoted his music.
The siblings also helped him with his business, his finances, and his legal matters.
They also defended him from his critics, his rivals, and his enemies.
They helped him cope with his fame and his loss
Gladys Presley’s siblings understood the pressures and the challenges that Elvis faced as a famous and wealthy artist, and they helped him cope with them.
They also helped him cope with the loss of his mother, who was his anchor and his inspiration.
They comforted him, they counseled him, and they prayed for him.
They also helped him with his problems, such as his marriage, his divorce, his addiction, and his health.
Conclusion
Gladys Presley’s siblings were more than just her brothers and sisters.
They were also the brothers and sisters of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.
The siblings were his family, his friends, and his influences.
They shaped his life, his music, and his legacy.
They were also talented and successful in their ways, and they deserve to be remembered and honored.
The siblings were the forgotten siblings of Gladys Presley, and they were the hidden gems of Elvis Presley.
