There are condolences waiting approval on GLORIA's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of GLORIA MARIE HARRIS
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
GLORIA.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for GLORIA MARIE HARRIS
Gloria Marie Harris began the beautiful journey of life on January 5, 1930. She was the only child born to Alma J. Wright & Thomas W. Griffith of NE Washington, DC. Gloria grew up in Washington DC and was educated in the District of Columbia's public school system. However, she lived and worked in New York and Connecticut. She came to Maryland where she met and fell in love with her husband John C. Harris whom she married February 23, 1957. After taking his hand in marriage, Calvert County became her permanent place of residence. John & Gloria had 7 children: Cranston Berry (Phyllis), Desiree Royster (deceased), Demetrius (Bridgett) Harris, Burdina Taylor (deceased), Lamont (Mary) Harris, Dayton Harris, Marshakia Harris (Antwan); 4 stepchildren-Oliver Harrod, Merle Harris, Sylvester Harris, Kathy Thomas. She is survived by her husband and 5 children. She worked in the medical & nursing field for over 40 years; many of those at Calvert Nursing Center and the Calvert House. Though Gloria retired in 1996, she continued to care for family, friends and those in need. Her spirit of caring and giving never stopped working even when she did!
Gloria had a very eclectic style that she made all her own. Her nails were always polished red with lip stick of the same shade. Her signature fashion statement was always wearing a rose in her hair to match her garments. Gloria was always a woman about her family and friends. She was an amazing and committed wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Giving her last was never done with any hesitation and she would often say, "I see my blessings every day". She loved playing her records and dancing with her children as the stood on the top of her feet, often singing a melody that she had made just for her babies. She was devoted to her special grandson Sherman Mackall Jr. She had a very creative mind, gifted hands and she could make anything look like something by the time she put that Gloria touch on it. Gloria enjoyed painting and creating arts and crafts. She loved restoring furniture and did everything from stripping and cleaning to staining it making it look as if it came off from the showroom floor.
Gloria was very kind compassionate and caring. Over the years she would take in family members, entire families and friends whenever they were in need, loving everyone equally and making them all feel special. When she took you in, she made sure that you were well-fed. She was known for her roast beef, smothered pork chops and hot yeast rolls. Everything she made was done with love and she enjoyed preparing large meals to bring her family closer together. She loved taking children from her neighborhood to the drive-in movie theatre. She was also a huge movie buff herself and could identify any major motion picture, its stars and their roles. Charlton Heston, Charles Bronson, Steven Segal, Clint Eastwood and Sydney Poitier were amongst her favorite stars and she was glued to ANYTHING in which they starred. Every morning and every afternoon you would find her she is reading her Bible faithfully and would often recite her favorite scripture, Psalms 23. Her evening routine included watching Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy every night. Her guilty pleasures were black walnut ice cream & Ethan Allen. She never complained about anything and found the silver lining in everything. Affectionately known as Grandma Gloria or Aunt Gloria, she was a wonderful, kind, generous, cherished, one-of-a-kind woman that will truly be missed. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Desiree Royster & Burdina Taylor and her beloved grandson Marquise Robinson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, children and stepchildren, 15 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, her dearest friends June Brooks, Yvonne Wills and Mary Ann Bell. Additionally, she leaves her sisters and brothers in-law, William (Mildred) Harris, Maurice (Virginia) Magruder, Vivian Magruder, and Theo (Sylvester) Phillips and a host of extended family and friends, the communities who will never forget the name Gloria Marie Harris.
