Tributes

Gloria Rebecca Holmes, affectionately known as "Aunt Gloria", "Aunt Glo" and "Miss Gloria" departed this life on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Service League of Greenville Inpatient Hospice House, in Greenville, NC. She was born on August 27, 1945 in Chestertown, MD to the late Henry W. Gilbert and the late Mary E. Williams Gilbert Commodore. She attended Garnet Elementary and Middle School in Chestertown, MD and completed her high school education in Washington, DC. Going to school was a joy to her and learning was a forever endeavor. She was prolific reader, reading everything that was not nailed down. Gloria always said that reading gives one knowledge and knowledge gives power. Most of her free time was spent reading. Gloria joined Jane's United Methodist Church in Chestertown, MD as a teenager and served as a member of the Youth Choir and the Methodist Youth Fellowship. As an adult she enjoyed the serving and the teachings of Christ. There, she developed her faith in God which would remain with her for the rest of her life. Gloria gained working experience in many areas of employment (Housekeeping, manufacturing, food service, clerical and distribution) between Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware and back to Maryland. She retired from a distribution company in Chestertown, MD. On June 11, 1995, she married the "love of her life" Alvin E. Holmes of Denton, MD. Their union provided thirteen years of love, caring and happiness. They enjoyed traveling, vegetable gardening, and hosting family gatherings with her children and family members. They were "Two peas in a pod". Gloria joined and was a dedicated member of Union Bethel AME Church in Denton, MD. There she worked with the youth, the sick and shut-in as well as the homeless. She enjoyed gardening, watching black and white movies, western, animated, history, cooking, nature and travel channels. She traveled to Ghana, West Africa, alone (first flight) to visit with her sister Mary Ann and brother-in-law, Earl. The trip to Ghana was a personal and highlighted journey for her. She developed a real passion for crossword puzzles and collecting horse figurines. She was a good-humored person who was the life of any gathering with hilarious antics and loved giving out hugs. Upon her husband's death in March 2008, Gloria moved back to Chestertown, MD and retired as head packer at the distribution center. In 2011, she came to Winterville, NC to visit her sister and brother-in-law and became a resident of NC, and later became a member of Koinonia Christian Center Church which elevated her faith in God. The KCC family was a highlight in her life. Gloria leaves to cherish her memories, two sisters, Mary Ann Brown (Earl) of Winterville, NC, Doris L. Gilbert of Stockbridge; four sons, Rondle Sampson (Karol) of Silver Spring, MD, Darrell Doran of Wilmington, DE, Wayne Gilbert of Denton, MD and Robert Jones, Jr; one daughter, Crystal Sampson Bowser (Wayne) of Solomon's Island, MD; one niece, Glynis Mullins (Darrick); two nephews, Cristus Brown (Tonia) of Charlotte, NC, Sheldon Shorter of Stockbridge, GA; three aunts, Rosetta Johnson, Bessie Sims, and Rebecca Turner all of Chestertown, MD; nine grandchildren; two great-nephews; two great-nieces; a host of dear cousins and friends.

Tributes

Ms. Gloria Rebecca Holmes

August 27, 1945 - April 27, 2019