Gloria D. Brown

Gloria D. Brown was born in Washington DC at DC General Hospital on May 7, 1951, to Harry G. Foster and Ruby Foster. Gloria was the first born to this union giving her the rights to be a natural born leader to her younger siblings. Gloria had two older sisters as well.

As a child Gloria was very inquisitive, adventurous, and she loved reading books. She always dreamed about what her life would be like and the books she would write. Most of her daydreaming was done while she attended her home church Russell Temple CME Church. The church is still standing strong today and our family is still in attendance.

As Gloria interned her woman hood she was offered a job in 1974 with the United States Department of Agriculture and Forest Service. She was married to the love of her life Willie James Brown. They raised three children Camille, Catrina and Andre. In September 1981 she lost her husband to a drunk driving accident.

Gloria was enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park during this time and went in to complete her degree. She continued her education later in life and was enrolled at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where she completed her master’s degree in Forestry.

Gloria's career was very adventurous. She started as a secretary in Washington DC and moved to Missoula, Montana to Oregon (Willamette National Forest) and to Siuslaw National Forest where she became the first African American female Forest Supervisor, to Mount Saint Helen's Monument to her second supervisory position at the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara, California where she retired from her career. Gloria spent 32 years with the Forest Service.

Gloria found a new fond love in Phil Wikelund in Portland, Oregon in the 1990's. They resided at their home in Lake Oswego. As a resident Gloria participated in several civic organizations. the latest was Respond to Racism.

During Gloria and Phil's time together they traveled around the country, hosted many dinner parties, and spent a great deal of their happy times at their home in Southern, Oregon.

Gloria’s crowning achievement was when she published her memoir, Black Woman in Green. Her greatest moment of her life was when she was reunited with her first born child, Andre Wallace.

Preceding Gloria's death: parents Harry and Ruby Foster, sisters Joanne and Evelyn and brother Tony.

Gloria leaves to mourn her death: Phil Wikelund (partner), Andre Wallace (oldest son), Camille Brown (oldest daughter), Catrina Brown (youngest daughter), Reginald Andre and Nichole Brown (youngest son and daughter in law), grandsons AJ and Aubrey, granddaughters Alana, Victoria and Nyeelah, grandson AJ and great granddaughter A’Kari Symone. Brothers Michael and Larry Foster, Sister Lisa Foster, Uncle Charles Emery, Aunt Mertle Baldwin, the Baker Family, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

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