Gloria Frances Bishop Whittington entered the world on August 2, 1946 in Crisfield, MD to her loving mother Marvis Bell Bishop and caring father Roger Bishop who taught their children the word of God. A resident of Marion Station her entire life, Gloria passed away peacefully at 70 years of age on Saturday, September 10, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Gloria was a 1964 graduate of Carter G. Woodson High School in Crisfield, MD. Affectionately known as Lil Glo, Glo and sometimes Honichile, she was employed 33 years and 10 months with Rubberset (Sherwin Williams) in Crisfield, MD until her retirement in 2001. Gloria joined Mt. Peer United Methodist Church at an early age and later transferred her membership to John Wesley United Methodist Church upon marriage in 1966. Offices held at John Wesley included Sunday School Teacher, Treasure for Manokin/Crisfield 5 church charge, Treasurer of John Wesley U.M. church women, Financial Secretary of John Wesley U.M. PPR, member of the John Wesley Administrative.
Gloria sponsored an Annual Family Fun Festival for 21 years on the 2nd Saturday of September to raise money for John Wesley U.M. Women’s Day. This was a day many family and friends looked forward to for fellowship and fun! As a 14 year Breast Cancer Survivor, Gloria promoted an Annual Breast Cancer Awareness month at John Wesley U.M. church every October. She said that each year the amount of pink worn every Sunday in October increased and how happy that made her and she rewarded participants with baked goods and gift drawings. Gloria loved helping out in whatever way she could so she became a member of the Somerset County Arts Council with a Hay Day Picker’s Exhibit at the Strawberry Festival. In addition, she led the way at this event (Strawberry Festival) in Marion with a float as part of giving back to the town she grew up in and loved. Gloria was a Unit Judge for the Somerset County Election Board, past member of the Democratic Committee, member of AARP and Women Supporting Women Organization where she participated in their fashion show as a proud Breast Cancer Survivor. She was the Coordinator for Rubberset/Sherwin Williams First employees Retirement Dinner with retirees beginning from 1967.
Gloria is survived by her loving husband, Alexander “Jit” Whittington, Sr. of 49 years, four children, Casandra Barkley and her husband Ivan, Sr. of Salisbury, MD, Alexander Whittington, Jr. of Marion Station, MD, Maurice Whittington and his wife, Shende of New Church, VA and Shawanda Veney and her husband, Brian of Princess Anne, MD. Gloria cherished her grandchildren Ivan, Irvin, Isaac, Isiah, Martel, Travon, Shalea, Marniece, DeQuisha Araya and Nicholas along with her latest joys; her three great-grandchildren. Gloria and Jit would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Gloria will forever be remembered by her devoted sisters and brothers, Sandra Burton, Jeanette (John) Holland, Alice (Netsi) Manyarara, Elizabeth (Jasper) Goldsmith, Joyce (Truman) Graves, Viola (Calvin) Davis, William (Vinette) Bishop, Margaret (Coley) McCready and Charles Evans. She also leaves to cherish her memory a special aunt, Annie Mae Scarborough and uncle, Herdie Buddy Bell; one sister-in-law, Patricia Lankford-Douglas, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her and the words of encouragement she had for everyone she met.
Gloria’s positive spirit and love of the Lord could be felt by anyone who came into contact with her. She loved her life and the family and friends whom will forever miss her. Gloria’s cooking, gardening and sharing words of encouragement will be cherished by many. Some of her favorite sayings to share include “Tears are Liquid Prayers”, “God is Wonderful” and “We Never Know How Our Kindness will Impact Someone’s Life.”
We loved you Gloria, but God loved you best and we know God can open doors no man can shut and we’re gonna keep on trusting him!
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, September 19, 2016 at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Marion Station, with a viewing one hour prior. A viewing will also be held 6-8 PM Sunday at the Church. Interment in the Church Cemetery.
16 Responses
My grandmother was so beautiful inside and out. I’m so happy for all 27 years I had. Her Barkley Boyz loved her so much and will continue to make her proud.
Having moved away for college I didn’t get to visit as often as I would have liked but I have so so many fond memories of my Aunt Glory. Growing up with my grandparents in Marion, she took me everywhere her kids went. I basically lived at their house during the summer months. I will never forget our drive around TRICK OR TREATING where she took us only to the people she trusted in the Marion area, her church members, area bank president, business owners and the like. I missed you on my last trip home in July of this year but you were out and about, you were not one to sit still for long lol.
My husband got to met you 20 plus years ago just before we got married and when you passed I asked if he remembered you and he smiled and said yes, she is the one who asked me 20 questions about my job, future plans, my parents etc….it is difficult to forget her. I concur! I definitely won’t forget my Aunt Glory. #missingyoualready #gonetoosoon
My Sister, My Friend
Our lives will never be the same again,
First there was 10, and now there is 9.
We were raised in a little town called Marion Station,
Most never knew it was part of this nation.
There was Margaret, Charles, Billy and Sandra;
Then came along Gloria, Jeanette and I;
It didn’t stop there, so along came Alice, Joyce and Vi.
We were the 10 gifts from God to Marvis and Roger Bishop,
And now there is nine.
Looking back over the years,
It brings back loving memories, but also many tears.
Many of our loved ones have been here and gone,
But thanks be to God, he has helped us stay strong.
Gloria has joined many family members up above,
Though we will forever miss her, she knew she was greatly loved.
She was a beautiful person, inside and out,
Her love, faith, and her spirit shined throughout.
On September 10th, 2016, God called her home,
She is now with the Master who sits high on the throne.
She closed her eyes, and entered eternal rest,
God had spoken, for He knew what was best.
I miss you, my sister…..my friend.
Love (forever and always)
Liz
Liz, that was beautiful. She is now in God’s care. ❤
May condolences to the family. I didn’t meet Mrs Gloria I am a co worker of her sister Joyce Graves. To know her is to know her family whom she loves dearly. So sorry for your loss my prayers are with you all doing this difficult time. 🙏🏾
Thank you, Donna. Indeed she was one of the best. I already miss her. But her being at peace gives me peace. ❤
In memory of my beloved sister Gloria Frances Bishop Whittington, August 4, 1946 – September 10, 2016.
I am Gloria’s sister Joyce, the second youngest of 10 siblings. I worked for 30 years with the federal government in Washington, DC. Over the years I made many friends, and so many wonderful memories that it was hard to make the decision to leave. But I knew when my work was done, and when it was time to leave it all…. I put in my resignation and went home. And I have never regretted it, not one.
My sister made that same decision in the early morning hours of September 10. She thought about all the work she had done, the family and friends she would be leaving, and the memories she had made with all of them. But she had already submitted her paperwork, because after 70 years of doing her earthly job as Servant, wife, mother, sister, niece, cousin and friend, getting outstanding ratings year after year, she decided her work was done. She talked it over with her heavenly supervisor and he accepted her resignation. Even though it was hard to make that decision, she did…..she left it all and went home. And I know she has no regrets, not one.
Home Sweet Home
There are so many things I didn’t say, when I went home that fateful day.
I wanted to tell all of you how much I cared, and thank each of you, for the times we shared.
The words Fix it Jesus, were deep in my heart, and though I couldn’t say them, God heard my thoughts.
He reached down and with a kiss to my brow, gently closed my eyes as I bid you farewell.
Then he wrapped me warmly in his blanket of light, and carried me gently off, into the night.
When we arrived at my new home, and was led through the door
My mother ran to me, my father did too…. I knew right then that I’d been here before.
From beyond all the light of peace and delight
I could only marvel at this beautiful sight.
I don’t miss anything from this world down below,
I will see you again, this I surely do know.
Remember me with joy, laughter, and good deeds
For we reap what we sow, so sow only good seeds.
Look close to your heart when you have memories of me
And there living inside of you, that’s where I’ll be.
Heaven is not as far as you think,
Close your eyes, remember the love, and blink. Right there you will realize you are never alone,
For deep in your heart, I am Home, Sweet Home.❤
I am……..Home, Sweet Home!❤
OMG!! This is PROFOUNDLY Beautiful.🌺🪻💐🙏🏽
I thank God that my aunt knew Jesus Christ as her Savior. It is this faith that sustained her thru the trials of her illness that she so bravely faced. Because my aunt trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior on the authority of God’s Holy Word, her soul is now with Jesus in glory.They say to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. My aunt is resting in peace until the day Jesus sounds the trumpet of God and resurrects his flock. I mourn that my aunt is no longer here in this earthly realm but I celebrate her victory of being with the most high. I belive my Aunt Gloria made peace with all things before God called her home. I believe she and God did their best in preparing the ones she loved most on how to how to live by faith and not by sight in her absence. I am honored that this is my aunt and that I knew this woman. I am encouraged by her battle with cancer and her unfathomable strength to endure. She fought a deadly disease with a fatal ending by faith. She trusted God and let him lead. She did not waiver, she did not succumb, she did it her way and on her terms. My aunt was a warrior not just in this battle but for her children, her husband, family and friends. To say I am proud of her would be an understatement, I am in awe of her. The strength she showed in the face of adversity is undeniable. My tears on this day are laced with sadness and joy because to know God is to know she is in a better place. I pray that we will all get to see her again but in order to do that we must submit to the will of God. Aunt Gloria, I love you and will cherish your memory until the end of time. May God have mercy on all of us who are missing you right now and give us peace that surpasses all understanding. In Jesus name, rest in peace until we meet again.
That was truly a beautiful tribute, Kim. ❤
Sitting at work and wanting to call mom…for some reason I came back to this page. Kim this is absolutely an amazing tribute. I love every word you wrote because I can feel it as though you were reading ti out loud. Thanks for loving mommy, you know she loved you and appreciated everything about you. Love you cousin!
I will always remember you Gloria. We were classmates, acquaintances, family and life long friends . We gradated from Wolfson High School together in 1964. We were born the same year u 8-2 and I 12-1 of 1946. Now,I went to Bowie State College, I discovered that Mom had included you as another one of her daughter’s in addition to my sister Janet while working at Campbell Soup in Salisbury MD. Good news was that the two of you were trying to decide what your future endeavors would be. Shortly thereafter, we found that you,Gloria and I were in the same Crisfield hospital at the same time giving birth to our first child and you delivered twenty minutes in front of me. We did not know that the other was there until the birth’s were revealed later. I believe that story made news in the Crisfield q time’s paper. Our lives have been forever intertwined. Many years passed and I returned after working away and I was invited to support the volunteers women helping women and once again we met in the activity of walking to show support cancer survivors
Know that you have our prayers and condolences. But also, know that God said … ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God’. [Matt 5:8] Be encouraged.
Thanks John & Tee. Our God is good….all the time. Gloria is now resting peacefully with our Heavenly Father,.
Mr. “Jit” and Family…I am so sorry to hear about your loss. But I celebrate in knowing that our beloved Miss Gloria has received, her mansion, her harp and her crown.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything our family can do for you, just let us know.
I want to share my favorite memory …. The handball choir (The Pleasant Ringers ) had been invited to come and share our ministry of music, “Lil Gloria had asked us to be a part of this service. And what a service it was. The Holy Spirit was so thick in that church you could have dipped it up with a spoon. As we began to ring, she was so proud. When we had finished, Gloria hugged me and said, “that is music from heaven.” Today, my sister you are witnessing and hearing those Heavenly Bells and the music of heaven.
I love you my friend, you celebrate with the angels until I get there.
I am so sorry for your loss of Mrs. Gloria.