Gloria Watford

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Gloria “D” Watford was born on May 12, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, to Bishop George Daniel Watford and Mabel Davine Watford. She was the fifth eldest of 15 children.

Gloria attended PS 26 Elementary School, Halsey Junior High School, and Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn, NY, where she graduated in 1964. Gloria attended Adelphi University, Garden City, NY in the 1980s studying Critical Thinking, Death and Dying and other courses.

Gloria was raised in a Christian home, had a strong religious upbringing, learned to love the Lord and was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. She and the family were first members of Good Samaritan Church in Brooklyn, NY, under the leadership of Bishop Jordan and her father, Bishop George D. Watford. At Good Samaritan, Gloria sang in the choir and played the piano. Her love for God was exemplified through her fingers as she played to the glory of God. Her piano music set the atmosphere for worship and praise and the Holy Spirit was ushered into the House, where she played sweet melodies on the keys. In fact, her praise could not hold her down at times and she often broke out in a praise dance and shout. After the family moved to Queens, Gloria continued to be a servant of God and played piano at the Church of the Nazarene of the Apostolic Faith under the pastorship of her father. It was at this time that she knew she wanted to expand her service for the Lord into ministry. Gloria LOVED studying the Bible. She was always in her books. It was no surprise that as a result she would pursue her license in ministry. Gloria attended Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Bible School in Queens, NY, Family Radio School of the Bible, and several other theological institutions, and subsequently received her credentials to preach the gospel. Later in the early 1980s, her father ordained Gloria as Reverend and she begin preaching at The Church of the Nazarene of the Apostolic Faith in Queens, NY.

While living in New York, Gloria had an eclectic and broad range of spiritual gifts that she shared unselfishly. She was also a missionary by extending her labor in the field for the Lord, going into hospitals, nursing homes, and jails to witness and complete her missionary work. She had a zealous and fervent calling to witness to the sick.

While visiting the residents and patients of these nursing homes and hospitals of Queens, NY, she played the piano for their church services and taught Bible class to children patients. Gloria also taught Bible class in the Church of the Nazarene.

Gloria was no stranger to hard work. She was employed at an insurance company in lower Manhattan for decades until the early 1980’s. In 1992 Gloria moved to

Raleigh, North Carolina, where she worked at Genworth Mortgage Insurance as a Servicer Account Specialist from 1992-2009.

Gloria was a member of the Upper Room Church of God in Christ, pastored by Bishop Patrick L. Wooden, Sr. Gloria faithfully attended Upper Room and loved her church family until illness prevented her from attending services.

Gloria had a beautiful sense of dignity and style. She was poised with grace and wisdom, and she was a mentor to all her family, young and old. She often encouraged her family to “let God use you” in her most sincere way. She encouraged her family to develop a love for God and His Word, and to embrace the need of a prayer life. She loved fine jewelry, gemstones and watches. She loved fashion and nice clothes, and would always gift her sisters and friends with a piece of her jewelry. Not only would she give jewelry, but also more often she would give her family Bibles and blessed oil. She made sure we had oil and the Word of God to study. She realized that it was important that we all had the resources to draw close to God, and so her family would find a box at their front door – a Bible and blessed oil that she had sent.

Gloria will be remembered for not only being the beautiful sister that she was, but also we will cherish her for her mentorship and grace. The “D” in her name was given to her by her father – D for Darling. That is exactly who she was – such a darling to all who knew her.

On June 23, 2024, Gloria was called home to be with the Lord. She was predeceased by her parents Bishop George D. Watford and Mabel D. Watford, her brothers George S. Watford, Donald Watford and Jasper J. Watford. Left behind to cherish her memory are her siblings, ten sisters: Gladys Watford, Dorothy Watford, Yvonne Watford-McKinney, Janice Watford, Dolores Watford, Agnes Regina Roberts a/k/a “Tina” (George), Pamela Albury (Roland), Sandra Watford, Beatrice Watford-Tyson, Karen Watford; sister-in-law Joyce Watford, one brother: Owen Watford (Sabrina); nephews: Brandon Tyson (Sadiqa), John Capers, Vaughn Albury (Yallin), Christopher (Lameca), Tyrone (Tameca), George, Jr., Alex, Nieces: Janelle, Tara (Ricky), Ulonda Jemmott (Demostenes), Georgetta, Cousin: George Bass, Jr. (Cynthia) and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service:  11:00 AM, Friday, July 5, 2024, at Upper Room Church of God in Christ, 3300 Idlewood Village Road, Raleigh, NC.

Visitation:  11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, preceding the funeral service at the church.

Interment:  Carolina Biblical Garden, Garner, NC.

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