No one could ever say Gloria was apathetic. She cared as much as any person I have ever known! I may not have always agreed with her position, but I always respected her honesty and commitment. I have so many wonderful memories with Gloria and most of those involve her “expressing her passion” like only she could. It was from her that I have learned that commitment and passion are a good thing. I have learned that when you have a passion and an opportunity to live that passion, you never have to work a day. You never have to look to or listen to others to find a sense of worth or approval.

My grief now is not that I miss my dear friend, and I certainly do, but there are so many that did not have the opportunity to be touched by her generosity and enthusiasm. Her fuel in life was providing for others. Her strength was found in caring for and loving her family and friends. Her love of the Lord was without boundaries and she would share that without shame. The commitment she expressed in her life, her boundless energy to care for others, the passion she had for her Lord, her family and her friends, are what I will carry forward.

It is hard to watch a person you care about prepare to leave this earth. What do you do? What do you say when death is inevitable? I don’t know if it is more uncomfortable for the one staying or the one preparing to take the walk. I have often wondered if spiritual people felt betrayed when they prayed for healing and it did not come. A couple of months before Gloria passed, she told me she knew her God would heal her. I didn’t know what to say. It was obvious that, for whatever reason, God was going to call her home, and it was going to be sooner rather than later. I was very uncomfortable and had no words. She then looked to me with a knowing smile and said, “It may be here on earth or it may be on the other side in heaven, but I know I will be healed!” That was my friend Gloria! Always the believer, always committed to her position, and passionate about her principals!

At that time, Gloria also told me that while she was not afraid to die, she didn’t believe the Lord was done with her. She had more to do. I agree and Glorious Good Deeds is Gloria living on. As is true of many of the great people in history, as much as they were able to accomplish with their lives, even more was accomplished in death. With her gone from her earthly home, it is my prayer that this is true.

By Tom G.

A couple of years ago we held at youth concert at the church. Gloria cooked and served an excellent meal for almost one hundred teenagers, the bands & entertainers, and the church staff. After serving an excellent meal, we expected Gloria to pack up and go home. Once the meal was cleaned up and the leftovers were given to families in need of food, Gloria was found standing on a chair amongst the teens she had just fed, praising, dancing, and singing along with the Christian rap lyrics. After more than an hour of music and dancing, there was an invite for those who wanted prayer at the altar. Again looking up front we found Gloria on the floor laid out in the presence of God.

Her character was often reflected the two sisters Mary and Martha we find in the book of Luke. Like Martha, Gloria spent what seemed like a lifetime serving the Lord, serving his church, and serving his people. At the same time, Gloria was the one in leading the charge like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. The evidence of her soaking in Jesus’ teachings was always evident in the way she loved the people around her.

Her personal ministry was vast in caring for those who had difficulty or could not care for themselves.  Her genuine kindness and servanthood were a complete reflection of gospel values. In essence Gloria served and cared for others with a distinguished unconditional love in the likeness of Jesus. At Grafted, Gloria’s legacy lives on as we look forward to partnering with Glorious Good Deeds.

From the larger troupe, four of us created “Elegance and Energy”. Tom G. didn’t care for that name, but the three girls won out. Who wouldn’t with glamorous Glo as our ringleader? She was picture perfect; I wanted to look just like her.  We had some really great gigs – elementary schools, beach parties, office celebrations, government agencies – even at the federal level! We rehearsed in her Summertown basement. That’s when I met Tony and Jason; and when Glo first shared her heartache over her children who had gone to be with God. I learned about the other “babies” in her life too – Rusty, Charlie, Gizmo & Benji, Sugar & Spice, and now Moses and Isabella. Glo was born for mothering. She was so proud of all her family – including Ben!

In 1991 I witnessed her competitive, yet caring nature in the Mrs. Georgia pageant. There she stood in the top five – two of whom she said “had never even birthed a baby.” Gloria, or Scarlet to some of us, used her training from the Miss Arkansas beauty pageant years before – and yet Ben won Mr. Georgia!  However, SHE won Mrs. Congeniality! All of this prepared her for guiding any of us who needed help “glamorizing” for our REALTOR® galas over the years.  If you were small enough, she had “just the right dress” or she could provide any length or style wig for her female friends; and even for a few of the males!

When asked to perform for church, business, tributes, holiday functions, anything – Glo NEVER refused. A cancer survivor’s top hap revue known as The Bosom Buddies used her talents for several fundraisers. She never missed a beat in even the most heartbreaking circumstances. She was also a founding member of “True Grits”- another female ensemble that raised funds for the cancer society. Glo choreographed our routines, and we shared MANY laughs and a few tears. I remember once when we were rehearsing, she said “I think I accidentally learned to sing harmony!” Her voice was truly a gift from God.

At Christmastime each year, Glo delivered delightful surprises to a women’s shelter. When visiting her at that time of the year, her home was overflowing – one year teddy bears, another year angels of every description. This was something she independently, privately chose to do.  She also visited nursing homes giving gifts (toiletries, edible goodies, crafts), but more importantly her time, to the residents. I can still hear her cheerfully complaining about calling out bingo letters to those cranky people! Even when diagnosed and weakening, she was compelled to continue helping others. She just wanted to see them smile.

Glo believed in giving – and giving back. She was a dedicated REALTOR®, serving as a NAMAR director for many years. When our Board of REALTORS® office was built in Duluth, she was smack in the middle of decorating it. Her special touches made it a professional, yet welcoming atmosphere. She was very experienced, having stunningly furnished the homes she and Ben owned. He told me his real estate agent made him move frequently.

Until a few years ago, she was involved in REALTOR® activity at the state level. However, when she had to make a choice about spending time and money at conventions or in visiting her grandson Shane – Shane won. When a trip to St. Louis was pending, she excitedly anticipated the adventure; and afterwards – she would beam in reminiscence.

Glo was diligent in her business life, eventually becoming the managing broker for Coldwell Banker in Snellville, winning a coveted award the first year. When the real estate market dipped, she began a new venture – catering with her friend Becky B. – together those two could satisfy anyone’s appetite! They also started creating handmade monogrammed purses, luggage and quilts. My own precious 2 years old granddaughter Ellie still cannot sleep without her cuddly doll/blanket made by Gloria’s own hands. Just looking at all those creations showed how much love there was in and around this lady.

Gloria gave 100% to everything. She had faith that whatever she attempted, she could do with the Lord’s help. In the early 2000’s she joined Grace Community Church, today known as Grafted. I attended her recommitment baptism and saw her jump full steam into leadership. Three of my niece’s home school graduations were held there. Thank you God, and Gloria! At this time it became very apparent how her relationship with our Heavenly Father had grown. We have participated in countless Bible studies together. Glo hosted one at her home a couple of years back – thank you Ben. In 2013, when I was asked to entertain at my church’s Ladies Tea, my first thought was – “The church ladies – DonnaSue Cracker, JoanieBelle KnowItAll and Glory Hallelujah!” Right then, she became and always will be, Glory to me. When receiving the cancer diagnosis; her greatest concern was to relieve her family’s stress. The next several months, confirmed that Gloria was a ROCK! In our visits together, she would continuously recite (from memory) all the things she had to accomplish before she made her “last, most exciting journey.”  Even when not strong enough to sing, she looked forward to joining Heaven’s choir.  Glory Hallelujah has moved on, but she left a lot of precious memories to all of us who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.