Gladys Aiken Obituary

Gladys Ann "Gigi" Aiken, 89 of Harrison, passed away Friday, January 16, at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison.
She was born February 14, 1936, at San Francisco, to Arthur Knox and Millie Barbara Provence Aiken. She married Carl Paladino on May 4, 1957, at East Orange, N. J., and the couple began a family together. In 2000, Gigi made her home in Harrison after moving from New Jersey, where she would spend the remainder of her life surrounded by family, friends, and the community she grew to love.
Gigi was a faithful member of Bellefonte Church of Christ, where she loved serving others and taught Sunday school, sharing her faith and encouragement with those around her. In 2008, Gigi began working for Skyline Heights Elementary as a paraprofessional in the special education department. Her heart for children and dedication to education guided her career as she later served at Woodland Heights Elementary, the Middle School, and eventually returned to Skyline Heights. She remained devoted to her students and coworkers, working faithfully until Christmas break of 2025, when declining health prevented her from returning to the classroom.
Throughout her life, Gigi embraced a variety of roles and opportunities. She was a licensed real estate agent and worked in several different fields over the years, including department stores and modeling. She enjoyed watching basketball and QVC, and especially treasured the time spent cheering on her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, and nothing brought her greater happiness than watching them grow and succeed. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Richard Aiken; and one daughter-in-law, Susan Paladino.
She is survived by two sons, Carl Paladino and Marc Paladino, both of Hardyston, N. J.; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Jim Johnson of Harrison; four grandchildren, Tobias Johnson of Bella Vista, Sophia (Peyton) Blake of Rogersville, Mo., Callie (Dalton) Hale of Bono, and Skyler Paladino of Hardyston, N. J.; two great-grandchildren, Macey and Greyson Blake, both of Rogersville, Mo.; one sister, Nancy Loveland of Loveland, Colo.; along with her special nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and the countless students whose lives she touched.
A memorial celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 30, at Northside Church of Christ, with Ray Crawford, Steve Powers, and Josh Magness officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.
Memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 29, at Northside Church of Christ.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.