Gloria Faye (Young) Jones

Gloria Faye (Young) Jones was born to parents Alford Young, Sr. and Naomi Gray Young on October 27, 1931, in Henderson, Texas. She was the fifth of six children. Gloria or Faye, as she was fondly called by her family, received her education in the Antioch community.

Like her siblings, Gloria, accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and began her lifelong service to God at Antioch Baptist Church.

Gloria had two sons William Eugene “Gene” Clay and William “Earl” Simmons. She moved to Galveston, Texas in search of better employment opportunities and was soon hired as a nurse’s aide at John Sealy Hospital and sometimes as a domestic. There she wed Andrew “A. J.” Jackson and had daughters Sandra and Cheryl. Following Hurricane Carla, Gloria vowed to never live through another hurricane and in 1962 wed Herman Blackshear and she and her family moved to Portland, Oregon.

Gloria loved Portland. Though it wasn’t always easy, she thanked God for his blessings and took advantage of every opportunity, as a nurse’s aide at Emanuel Hospital, seamstress at Jantzen Woolen Mills and Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Vincent/Providence. It was at Tektronix that she landed a position as an oscilloscope technician, and she worked 25 years until her retirement. Her work ethic and commitment to always be and do her best was the example she lived by and set for her family.

Gloria joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church upon arriving in Portland. She was a member of the Inspirational Choir and the Mission Ministry. In 1991, Gloria joined Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. She was a member of the Health Ministry, where she enjoyed using her nursing skills, OASIS (Older Adults Still in Service), and Life Group.  and Life Group. Gloria was abundantly blessed, loved, admired. Her bright smile and warm disposition made everyone feel welcome. Her sense of style and grace were unparalleled, and no one could compete with her in the kitchen or look so good while doing it. She was a skillful cake decorator and loved baking and cooking. She had a gift for designing beautiful floral and holiday arrangements and a green thumb for gardening.

Today, her front yard is the envy of the neighborhood, and her Christmas wreathes, and centerpieces adorn her home and those of her family.

Gloria departed life Thursday morning, November 24, 2022, after a long illness at her home in Vancouver, Washington. She was predeceased by son Gene Clay; sisters Mary Hider and Dorothy Ross; and brothers Alford Young, Jr., Raymond Young and James Young.

She leaves to treasure her memories her son, Earl Simmons of Houston, Texas; daughters, Sandra Jackson and Cheryl Whitney (Larry), all of Vancouver, Washington; granddaughters, Sasha Pritchett of Acworth, Georgia and Sonya Washington of Houston, Texas; grandsons, William “Earl” Simmons, Jr. (Kim) of Houston, Texas, Michael Washington (Kim) of Houston, Texas and Matthew Clay of Gresham, Oregon; 11
great-grandchildren; and many devoted nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Gloria lived the word of God. She loved and was loved. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Funeral Service will be at Garmon Funeral Home Chapel - 900 N. Van Buren Street, Henderson, Texas 75652 January 5, 2023, at 11:00 am

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