The death of Gladys Presley in August 1958 became a quiet dividing line in the life of Elvis Presley. Everything that came after seemed to carry a different weight. She had been ill for weeks, growing weaker after returning to Memphis from a visit to Fort Hood. By the time Elvis was granted emergency leave and arrived on August 13, the reality was already clear. His mother was dying. Less than a day later, on August 14, she was gone at just 46 years old.
The death of Gladys Presley in August 1958 became a quiet dividing line in the life of Elvis Presley. Everything that came after seemed to carry a different weight. She…