Gloria Smith

Gloria Smith was the third daughter born into the union of Randolph Irvin and Bertha Alice Smith.  

She attended Zion Baptist Church along with the rest of the family where she belonged to the Junior Missionary Circle.  Gloria attended school in Westmorland County and graduated from A.T. Johnson High School in 1956.  In high school, Gloria studied typing, shorthand, sewing and crocheting in addition to the core curriculum.  After graduation, Gloria worked various jobs, including the Army and Navy Club and then joined the Air Force.  She did her basic training at Lackland AFB in Lubbock, Texas.  After basics, Gloria was sent to Charleston, South Carolina where she spent three years as a secretary.  Since she wanted to travel, it was arranged for her to be stationed in Germany where she stayed for three years.  Taking advantage of her ability to travel, Gloria visited England, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal during her time overseas.  

When Gloria returned to the states, she took a job in San Francisco, California where she lived for several years before moving to Oakland.  She was very active in her local church, keeping members involved in various activities inside and outside the church.  Continuing her love of travel, Gloria visited Canada, Mexico and South Africa. 

Gloria worked as a Data Processor in the IT Department for Crown Zellerbach until she returned to Virginia to care for her mother (Bertha) after her father (Randolph) died.  After her mother died in 1999, Gloria chose to return to California.  In 2005, Gloria came to Maryland to live with her sister Juanita.

In the fall of 2006, Gloria was admitted to a facility in Rockville, MD where she received care for Dementia.  Gloria remained in their care until her death.  Gloria was a hard-working person who believed in doing what she could to make things easier for others.  She had a wicked laugh and loved to listen to music-especially jazz.  Gloria maintained the same core group of friends for over fifty years.

Gloria will be kept in memory by her Aunt (Mary Lewis) , three sisters (Theresa Brown, Muriel Smith-Gross, and B. Juanita Melvin), nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other family members and friends.  She will be deeply missed, but we are thankful she no longer suffers.

Graveside service for Gloria Smith of Zion Baptist Church, Kinsale, Virginia formerly of Westmoreland County, Virginia who departed this life on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, will be held on Friday, February 11,2022 at 12 Noon at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, 1274 Zion Church Road, Kinsale, Virginia.

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