Gloria J. Wortham

MSG (Ret) Gloria J. Wortham, 69, of Junction City, KS passed away April 18, 2013 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington with Reverend Redo Purnell officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial donations have been designated to the American Cancer Society-Relay for Life of Geary County, c/o Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

Gloria was born August 9, 1944, Shelby County, Memphis, TN to Cloate and Mamie (Hooker) White, she was the second child of the four children, an older sister and younger twin brothers. Gloria was in charge even then when her and her younger brothers traveled by train alone to California to join the family already settled in California in 1959. She attended junior high and high school in the Los Angeles School District, graduating in 1963. Following high school, she immediately stepped into the employment world, starting with National Cash Register, then Rockwell International. Actually work history began with her uncle George and his Kids Crew to help keep kids from getting in trouble. At $2.00 an hour the kids cleared refurbished houses of debris.

In August of 1978 Gloria began her career in the U.S. Army, her tours of duty include Korea, Germany, Kuwait, and Bosnia with the last assignment at Fort Riley, KS and while serving her country she earned numerous awards including the Driver Badge with Wheel, Army Lapel Button, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Armed Forces Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Non Commissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol, Small Bore Bar, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and the U S Army Basic Recruiter Badge.

Gloria retired from the U S Army in 1998 and not one to be idle and being one with an abundance of energy, worked two jobs following retirement. She was a dedicated school bus driver for Milford Elementary School and employed at the local Wal-Mart until she had to retire due to illness. Gloria was a lifetime member of the National Association of Black Military Women, participating also in the American Legion Post #45 and a foster child of the Glasmuzina Family.

Gloria is survived by five sisters; Dolores Marshall (Paul) of Cerritos, CA, Linda Christensen (Mark) of St. Paul, MN, Laura Wagner (Gordon) of Inver Height, MN, Paula Lonetto of Duluth, MN and Nora Anne Moss (Andy) of Lake Nebagamon, WI, two brothers; Terry Wortham (Annie) of Pomona, CA and Jerry Wortham (Merilee) of La Verna, CA and her dear friend Naomi Bundley. She is also survived by her Aunts; Minta, Georgia, Melvinor, Helen, Beverly and Ardy and her Uncles; Haywood and Verland and a host of nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.

Special thanks of love to the extended families she has became a member of over the years; Glass, Wilson, Muse, Barnett, Bundley, Koonce and Dantzler.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her foster parents, Darlene and Steve Glasmuzina.