Gladys Elizabeth Yelvington spent her life in Indiana, the fifth of six children born to Asa Pierce Yelvington and his bride Alice Mary Cranor. Asa was a carpenter in Elwood, Indiana, just northeast of Indianapolis. Gladys' siblings included Robert T. McCoy (3/29/1877), Burdella Frae (11/17/1878), Dorothy Mildred (8/24/1880), Herschel Cranor (10/22/1886) and Louise A. (7/31/1894). She evidently received at least the minimal musical training given to most girls in this time period, some of it in Elwood public schools, and likely private lessons as well. For the 1900 enumeration the family was shown as resdiding in Pipe Creek a few miles west of Elwood.

In her mid to late teens Gladys worked for a time as a pianist for silent movies in Elwood, Indiana, and likely frequented some of the music stores in Indianapolis. The 1910 census showed Gladys and Louise still living with their parents in Elwood. However, it did not list an occupation for her, either an oversight or perhaps a choice. It is probable that she met and befriended composer May Aufderheide around this time. Piffle Rag is the only known piece of hers published, which was handled by May's banker turned publisher father John H. Aufderheide. When his company and stock were sold to the Mentel brothers in Chicago in 1914, it was republished under their moniker.

Gladys seems to have left the composing and performance profession when she married tin mill worker Leo Gerald Parsons, also born in Elwood, on August 31, 1912. They were living in Gary, Indiana by 1917. The Parsons had three children, Roger Dale (3/18/1914), Joanne Louise (10/28/1918) and Alyce B. (1921-1934). The family was shown as residing in Gary for the 1920, 1930 and 1940 enumerations, as well as per Leo's 1942 draft record. By 1940, Leo was a foreman at the steel mill, and Roger was employed there as well. Accounts from family members indicate that Gladys was a gifted and expressive performer on both piano and organ, and was able to play virtually anything in the musical spectrum. The 1950 census included the Parson’s recently divorced daughter Joanne and her two children, but no significant changes in status.

Gladys died in February 1957 as a result of pancreatic cancer. She was survived not only by her husband, children and siblings, but by her 102 year old mother who had lived with the family until just before her daughter's passing. She was laid to rest in Calumet Cemetery in nearby Merrillville, Indiana. Her obituary made no mention of her musical activities or history. However, two decades later performer Max Morath would revive Gladys' single known published work on his The Ragtime Women album, which included a small ensemble version of Piffle Rag. It has happily been uphill since then for this almost forgotten composer.