Obituary for Gloria Mathis
On November 13, 2020, Gloria Jean (Harper) Mathis, loving wife and mother of two, passed away at age 73.
Gloria was born on May 9, 1947 to Oliver Harper and Margaret (Hairston) Harper. She attended Fifth Avenue High School, and graduated from West Chester University before marrying her high school sweetheart, Reginald (Reggie) Mathis on June 28, 1969. In their 51 years of marriage, they raised two daughters, Traci and Tricia Heather.
A devoted educator, Gloria worked as a classroom teacher with Pittsburgh Public School. She had the rare and exciting opportunity to spend the majority of her 33-year career as a teacher at her own home school, Robert L. Vann Elementary School.
In retirement, Gloria was endlessly generous, giving of her time and talents. She stayed active in teaching, working as a Sunday School leader and a volunteer tutor. She enjoyed crafts, excelling in sewing, crochet, and floral design. However, her greatest joy was her family, with her five grandchildren holding a special place in her heart.
Gloria was preceded in death by, her husband, both of her parents and one brother, Anthony Harper. She is survived by her daughters, Traci Jackson (Gregory) and Tricia Heather Shelton (Charles), her sister Olivia Grundy, her brothers Rodney Harper (Jonetta), Oliver Harper (Sharon), Kenneth Harper (Kymberly), five grandchildren, Tyler Jackson, Eric Jackson, Christopher Shelton, Nathaniel Shelton, and Shayleigh Shelton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held at Monroeville United Methodist Church, Center Road, Monroeville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the New Life Community Ministries, 447 Hamil Road, Penn Hills, PA 15147 or Monroeville United Methodist Church, 219 Center Rd Monroeville, PA 15146.
Gloria was born on May 9, 1947 to Oliver Harper and Margaret (Hairston) Harper. She attended Fifth Avenue High School, and graduated from West Chester University before marrying her high school sweetheart, Reginald (Reggie) Mathis on June 28, 1969. In their 51 years of marriage, they raised two daughters, Traci and Tricia Heather.
A devoted educator, Gloria worked as a classroom teacher with Pittsburgh Public School. She had the rare and exciting opportunity to spend the majority of her 33-year career as a teacher at her own home school, Robert L. Vann Elementary School.
In retirement, Gloria was endlessly generous, giving of her time and talents. She stayed active in teaching, working as a Sunday School leader and a volunteer tutor. She enjoyed crafts, excelling in sewing, crochet, and floral design. However, her greatest joy was her family, with her five grandchildren holding a special place in her heart.
Gloria was preceded in death by, her husband, both of her parents and one brother, Anthony Harper. She is survived by her daughters, Traci Jackson (Gregory) and Tricia Heather Shelton (Charles), her sister Olivia Grundy, her brothers Rodney Harper (Jonetta), Oliver Harper (Sharon), Kenneth Harper (Kymberly), five grandchildren, Tyler Jackson, Eric Jackson, Christopher Shelton, Nathaniel Shelton, and Shayleigh Shelton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held at Monroeville United Methodist Church, Center Road, Monroeville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the New Life Community Ministries, 447 Hamil Road, Penn Hills, PA 15147 or Monroeville United Methodist Church, 219 Center Rd Monroeville, PA 15146.