"SUNRISE" SEPTEMBER 18,1939 "SUNSET" JULY 3, 2007 Saturday, July 7, 2007 11:00 a.m. Reverend Melvin Lowry Pastor, Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church, USA ~ Officiating ~
, was the daughter of the late Wesley Leondus Watkins and Mattie Alice Gilchrist Watkins. At an early age she joined the Liberty Baptist Church, The Rev. John Paul Murphy was pastor. Gloria s early education was at Steed Street School now Ursula Collins. She attended Immaculate Conception High School, where she was a member of the basketball team. She graduated with honors in 1955 at the age of 16. She matriculated at Paine College, graduating in three years at age nineteen with a B.A. Degree with honors, majoring in Mathematics. During her last semester at Paine College, she was assistant to the math instructor. Gloria did further graduate studies at Fort Valley State University. Gloria began her career in teaching at Telfair Street School, later trans ferring to A.R. Johnson, LucyC. Laney High School, and Edward E. Murphey. She was known by all to be an excellent math teacher. She retired from the Richmond County School System after more than thirty years of service. On September 1,1960, Gloria united in Holy Matrimony with her soul mate, Frank Johnson. To this union fourchildren were born: Frank Leondus, Fredrick Maurice, Jeffery LeVert, and Susan Alicia. Frank and Gloria enjoyed forty-seven lovely and wonderful years of marriage. The family joined Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church in 1978. Heryears there were years of dedicated Christian service too extensive to completely list. She served as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Advisor, Co-Director of Summer Enrichment Program, Vacation Bible School Director, Chair for Christian Edu cation Committee, Chairof the 30th Church Anniversary, Moderator of Presby terian Women, Ordained Elder, and Clerk of Session for 12 years. On the Presbytery level, Gloria served as Co-Chair of the Transitional Team which united the Women of the Church with United Presbyterian Women. She was the first Black Moderator of Northeast Georgia Presbyterian Women, the PW Representative to the General Assembly in Wichita, Kansas, and Mod erator of Northeast Georgia Presbytery. She was a member of the Youth Coun cil, Leadership Development Committee, Ministry Team, Vision Implementation Task Force and Black Caucus. Gloria served as the first Black member of the Synod of the South Atlanta PW Coordinating Team as well as the first Black representative to the Churchwide PW Coordinating Team. She received the PW Women of FaithAward, Gifts of Women Award and the 2007 Belle Terrace PW Distinguished Service Award. She also re ceived Honorary Life Memberships for United Presbyterian Women and North east Georgia Presbyterian Women. Gloria attended PW Churchwide gather ings in 1991,1994,1997, 2000,2003, and 2006. Additional civic involvement included: organizer of Girl Scout Troup at Belle Terrace, former member of the E. McKay Miller Child Development Center Board of Directors, member of Executive Council of MCG Children s Heart Pro gram since 1995, member of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. -Augusta Chapter, and member of The Foxz Red Hatters of Augusta. In addition to her husband and children, other survivors are: three sis ters, Juanita W. Taylor, Delores (Walker) Merritt, and Mattie Burden (Edwin) Leslie; eight grandchildren, Ebone S. Johnson, Elizabeth E. Johnson, Frank L. Johnson, II, Wesley D. Johnson, Iverson F. J. Johnson, Marquis A. Johnson, Matthew X. Johnson, and Madelyne A. Johnson; three daughters-in-law, Robin, Kimala, and Leola; one brother-in-law, Melvin (Jill) Alexander; one goddaughter, Andrea Forrest Keith; four nieces, five nephews, four great-nieces, six greatnephews, and one great-great-niece; and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.
Phase don t say that I gave up, just say that 1 gave in. Don t say I lost the battle, for it was God s war to lose or win. Please don t say how good 1 was, but that I did my best. Just say I tried to do what s right, to give the most I could, not do less. Please don t give me wings or halos, that s for God to do. I want no more than I deserve, no extras, just my due. Please don t give flowers, or talk in harsh tones. Don t be concerned about me now, I m well with God, I ve made it home. Don t talk about what could have been, it s over and it s done. Just see to all my family s needs, the battle has been won. When you draw a picture of me, don t draw me as a saint, I ve done some good, I ve done some wrong, so use all your paint. Not just the bright and light tones, use some gray and dark In fact, don t put me down on canvas paint me in your heart. Don t just remember all the good times, but remember all the bad. For life is full of many things some happy and some sad. But if you must do something, then I have one last request Forgive me for the wrongs I ve done and with the love that s left Thank God for my soul s resting,.. Thank God for all who loved me, Praise God who loved me best. Psalm 100 A psalm of thanksgiving. 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Reverend Melvin Lowry- Officiating Prelude... Mr. James Mclntyre Processional... Instrumental "It Is Well With My Soul" Call to Worship... Rev. Melvin Lowry Hymn of Praise... Choir & Congregation "To God Be The Glory" - Hymn 98 Prayer... Rev. Norris Van Rouse Pastor; Gumming Grove Baptist Church Scriptures Ecclesiastes 3:1-13... Rev. Dr. Kenon Meeks General Presbyterian Northeast Georgia Presbyterian 2 Timothy 4:6-8... Rev. Bobby Hankerson Pastor, Hammond Grove Baptist Church Solo... Mrs. Kayte Thomas "/ Can t Walk Without Jesus" Obituary... Please Read Silently 7 Danced In The Morning" Solo... Minister John Hobbs "Amazing Grace" Remarks (Three Minute Limit) Retired Educator - Dr. Eleanor Hopson Principal Wilkinson Gardens Elementary School fjo"^ A at* Top Ladies of Distinction - Lady Lurene Johnson V \ cx Presbyterian Women Worldwide - Elder Bettie Durrah^ Radcliffs Presbyterian Church, USA ^ -tx, /, / Solo... Mrs. Kimala Johnson 7 Surrender All" Daughter-ln-Law Remarks (Three Minute Limit),, \ Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church (USA) - Elder Alvin Forrest,A. Friend - Rev. Cassandra Hill t- ~^\ C >> ^ Pastor, Saint Paul A.M.E. Church-Brunswick, Georgia ro> \ V <- Family - Minister Frederick Johnson, Son \ \ *. First Assembly of God - Greenville, South Carolina v7* \ * Selection... Creative Impressions IT, ^ 7 Shall Wear A Crown" ^ Words of Comfort... Rev. Melvin Lowry* \~^. Pastor, Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church, USA \ Recessional... Creative Impressions "I m Going Up Yonder" Interment... Hillcrest Memorial Park Committal... Rev. Melvin Lowry Rev. Edwin Leslie, Brother-ln-Law
Charles P. Hill Mike Gilchrist John Leslie Gilchrist Kelvin W. Crawford Roger Gilchrist Wayne Gilchrist Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Forrest Mrs. Ann Thornton Dr. Vivian Pennamon Rev. Cassandra Hill Ms. Lillie Brown Mr. & Mrs. Charles Turner Ms. Jan Lewis Mrs. Evelyn Ellis Mrs. Phyllis Wright Elders & Deacons of Belle Terrace Presbyterian Church (USA) Top Ladies of Distinction Murphey Middle School Faculty The Foxz Red Hatters of Augusta Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church, USA... REPAST... Belle-Terrace Presbyterian Church, USA With Deep Gratitude The family sincerely appreciates the many kind and thoughtful acts of sympathy shown during this time of loss. You have shared with us in many ways that helped to ease our burdens; and your presence with us today during the final rites for one we loved and cared for so dearly will not go unnoticed. Our hearts are gladdened because of caring friends like you. Many thanks, much love and may God richly reward you. Special thanks to Dr. Miriam Atkins and the Augusta Oncology Associ ates, University Hospital Oncology Unit, Heartland Hospice House, and Ms. Irene Mack. Services Entrusted To unerachome 2945 Old Tobacco Road - Hephzibart, Georgia 1765 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard -Augusta, Georgia & Printing /Design By: AUGUSTA BLUEPRINT 706.722.6488