Obituary for Gloria F. Wilburn
We are celebrating the life of our beloved mother Gloria Francella Hairston-Wilburn who went to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Friday, June 23, 2023 at 3:20pm at her home in Blackstone, VA. She was born April 17, 1940, at Freedom Hospital in Washington, D.C.. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lee Wilburn, Sr., her parents Helen Burley and Richard Hairston and brother Wallace Tyner, Sr.
Gloria grew up with the sense of family togetherness, where gatherings were frequent and family connections were consistent. To her family and friends, she was affectionately known as “Glo”, “Cake”, Granny, Ms. Wilburn, Boogie and “G girl #1”. Her journey all began in the town of Muirkirk in Maryland, now known as Beltsville, Maryland. The town of Muirkirk is where her mother, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins lived. Gloria was educated through the Prince George’s County public schools in Maryland. As one of the “G girls” of Helen, she was sure to know how to cook and have a sense of family growing up in a house shared with many family members. She was famous for her macaroni and cheese, macaroni salad and sweet potatoes. Gloria learned how to make something out of nothing.
Gloria gained employment at various jobs. But one particular employment changed her life forever. While employed at Living Industries in Laurel, Maryland, that is where she met the love of her life Robert Lee Wilburn, Sr. and best friend Eva Mae Barksdale (preceded in death). When Gloria met Robert she had children, to which he loved as his own. Gloria and Robert joined in holy matrimony on June 24, 1967 and continued to share their life together for 38 years until his departure in physical form. Gloria and Robert had seven children. Robert’s job required the family to move from Maryland to Farmingdale, New York, where they resided at for 13 years. After 13 years of being in New York, Gloria’s father in-law needed care so the family moved to Blackstone, Virginia and she took care of him until he passed away.
Gloria was an adopted mother to many in Nottaway County, Virginia. Especially to her grandchildren Cye Sr., Sharniece, Ravon and Tyshawn that she helped raise and held close to her side. Many came by for different reasons (i.e. love, kind word, advice and/or a plate of country cooking). She loved to travel to Maryland to visit with family and play a card game or two, which in her family would be for hours of spades, Bid Whis and Phase 10. She would be so excited to go to Maryland that she would pack 2 weeks in advance and have special travel apparel for the trip. Gloria’s favorite past time was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church (under leadership of Pastor Sarah Coleman) until her health wouldn’t allow her attend in-person. But that did not stop her from receiving the word; Gloria would dial-in on the church conference line with her Bible in hand. Nothing kept her from her faith. She loved herself some Pastor Coleman. They had many conversations and several visits together at Gloria’s home.
Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Robert, Sr.. She leaves to cherish her memory, Larry Wills, Sr. of Blackstone, VA, James Wills, Jr. (Sherry) of Columbia, MD, Rev. Delphine Wills of Crewe, VA, Sheldon Wills (Ernestine) of Baltimore, MD, Maurice Wills of Baltimore, MD, Robert Wilburn, Jr. (Oneewa) of Farmville, VA, Tamara Wilburn of Blackstone, VA, Janice Wayne of Arlington, VA, Sonny Wilburn (Joann) of California, Valarie Reeder-Bey (preceded in death) of Woodbridge; twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren; one sister Gail Burley (G girl #2) of Glenn Dale, MD; one sister-in-law Rev. Barbara Tyner of Mt. Rainer, MD; special friends, Eva Mae Barksdale (preceded in death), Walter Pritchett, Jr., Bessie Stokes, Vickie Green, Tommy Marshall, Willie Mae Faulkner and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives & friends.
Viewing Friday, June 30, 2023 from 1 to 7PM.
Funeral Services Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 11:00AM at Union Baptist Church, Crewe. Interment Greenview Cemetery, Blackstone.
To plant a tree in memory of Gloria F. Wilburn, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Service
Saturday
1
Jul
10:45 AM
- 1:45 PM
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