Gloria Wright Turner

Click here to view the live streaming of the funeral service via Zoom.

The Zoom meeting ID is 896 3674 3258 and the Zoom passcode is 297382.

Gloria Wright Turner, 86, was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1935. She is the daughter of Margaret Thornton and Willie Wright, and was raised by stepfather, Hezekiah Reed. Gloria transitioned into the heavenly kingdom on March 9, 2022, in the company of her family, loved ones, and committed caregivers. Gloria was a 1953 graduate of McKinley High School in Chicago, Illinois. In 1957, she completed her Bachelor of Education Degree from Chicago Teachers College. She later received her Master of Science in Education from Chicago State College, which ultimately led to her completing her course requirements from the Library Training Institute from Chicago State University. With zeal and an earnest love for children, Gloria faithfully taught elementary education and library sciences for over thirty years in the city of Chicago at three public schools.

Gloria accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age. She was a member of the choir at Friendship Baptist Church under the pastorship of Reverend Sheldon Hall, when she met her husband and soulmate, Wendell Holmes Turner Sr., a fellow choir member, and a burgeoning professional Bass/Baritone soloist. They married in 1959 and enjoyed over 50 years of wedded bliss with two sons, Wendell Jr. and Keith Edward. As a young family, Gloria and Wendell were leaders in worship and music ministry at Friendship Baptist Church and later, after moving to Chicago's southside, Shiloh Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor C. Jamison Brooks. As her husband, Wendell, grew in fame as a vocal soloist in the city of Chicago and the Midwest, Gloria established a sterling reputation as Christian educator, pianist, and leader in Shiloh's youth ministries, and later, in subsequent church ministries.

Gloria and Wendell were also lifelong world travelers. As a couple, they would often travel annually for pleasure. In the early years, travel was always as a family. Later, as grandparents, they would faithfully visit their children in places around the world. They were committed to staying involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren. In sum, Gloria and Wendell, as a team, had a profound influence on both children choosing military careers as officers in the US Army and the US Marine Corps. Both children traveled extensively in their careers and have lifelong marriages with one spouse and three children each.

After her retirement from Chicago public schools, Gloria continued to work in ministry as a caregiver for her mother, Margaret Reed, until her death in 2002. Gloria then became landlord of their two-family home occupied by her dear brother and friend, Frank Reed. At that time, she joined and became a member of a morning daily telephone prayer meeting that met for over 20 years with dear friends Shirley, Novella, Kayeresia, Betty, Quency, and Dianne.

Gloria always had a desire to live in the South. The year after her husband's passing, Gloria's prayers were answered. Thus, she moved to be near her sons and their families in Virginia, where she has resided since March 2016.

As Gloria joins the Lord in heaven, she leaves behind her brother, Frank Reed; sister, Dr. Denise Reed; sons, Wendell, Jr. (and wife, Bernice) and Keith (and wife, Nashawn); grandchildren, Kristen, Michael (and wife, MeYoung Kim), Wendell III, Tayler, Mikaela, and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Gena, Natalie, Amani, Emeth and Shema; and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Gloria would want you all to know: "She lived a glorious life and hopes that whatever you want to do in your life, do it now! Life is short and goes faster than you think."

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22407 on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Click here to view the live streaming of the funeral service via Zoom. The Zoom meeting ID is 896 3674 3258 and the Zoom passcode is 297382. The interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1902 Plank Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 10:00 AM.