Her father was a Superintendent of the HC Price Pipeline Co and Gloria spent much of her early life living across Canada and all over the United States as Henry kept his wife and young child with him near different job sites. While living in the trailer park environment and attending various schools, Gloria increased her vocabulary with some new words. Later in life, her tight group of friends “The Card Players” had a "cuss jar" for when Gloria practiced the art of her colorful language she had learned as a child. It was a known fact the jar filled with money rather quickly. When not on the pipeline sites in her childhood, she was back in Winston County growing up alongside her large group of Woodward cousins.
Raising her two children as a single mom, Gloria had lots of grit and determination. Dedra and Mark never doubted their mother’s love. In 1988, she married Bill Fulton and they enjoyed many wonderful years together. After her retirement from the Winston County Human Services, she and Bill owned and operated the Greyhound bus station and Bill’s BBQ.
A member of Whitehall Church, Gloria loved her church family. Desiring to learn more and to be filled with the Holy Spirit, she particularly enjoyed the Sunday and Wednesday night Bible studies. Her seriousness to grow closer to God was always mixed with a bit of Gloria humor when she would jokingly ask if Leviticus was a man or a woman. She also attended a Bible study lead by Marie Robbins at Good Hope Baptist Church. She also organized “The Card Players” at Whitehall and was always looking to include widows and senior ladies to keep them active and give them some company.
Not only did Gloria enjoy the church card games, but she loved playing blackjack. She thought nothing of driving to her southern office to play a hand. And she was blessed to be able to zip up and down the roads until just a few days before her death.
Proverbs 31 women come in all shapes and sizes. Gloria was full of compassion and had a heart of gold. When she heard of someone with a need or facing a health issue, she would quietly go pay their electric bill. Very few knew about her gracious giving habits, and she wanted it that way. A credit just suddenly appeared on the account just when they needed it most. Her secret was only revealed to those she occasionally had to ask for help in finding out the recipient's address or full name. She paid thousands of dollars in this manner through the years never wanting the recognition or thanks. As she always said, “I got here with nothing, and I want to leave this world with nothing." She secretly took care of others just as Matthew 6:1 instructs all of us to do.
Gloria is survived by her daughter Dedra Luke and her husband David of Louisville. She was NeNe to her grandchildren Dalton (Kayla) Luke and Victoria Luke. Affectionately called "Glo Jean" by Victoria who Gloria called "Pony". She was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Easton and Cohen Luke. She loved the walks with Easton and Cohen was her baby. She considered Bill’s children her own and is survived by his daughter Cynthia (Schon) Duke and their children Cameron (Julia) Duke and Tally (Owen) Connelly; his daughter Marsha (Scott) Chambliss and their sons Zach (Jordan) Chambliss and Jack (Samantha) Chambliss; his son Patrick (Pam); his daughter Stefanie (John) Ascherl and their sons Fulton Ascherl and William Ascherl; and his daughter Amy Fulton and her son Reese Fulton.
She is proceeded in death by her husband Bill Fulton, her son Mark Davis, and her parents.
God didn’t make but that one Gloria Fulton, but those who knew her were truly blessed to have her in their lives.
Memorials may be made to Whitehall Church, c/o Garvin Whitten, 10954 Highway 14 West, Louisville, MS 39339.
