Gloria Carter Etheridge

Gloria Jacqueline Etheridge, was born on April 15, 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Ada and James Bullock. They welcome their little Gloria into the world. Gloria or Lady as she was fondly called by her family and childhood friend, was the youngest of four children. Her siblings were brother, Lenora and Robert (Tippy), who all preceded her in death. Gloria grew spiritually as she attended Sunday School and church with her mother. As a small child, Gloria was born again, accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized by the late Pastor Edmond D. Meade of the Israel Baptist Church. Lady attended and was a graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar Senior High School in Baltimore. She continued her education at Coppin State College (University, now) Where she received a degree in Social Work. Lady used her education, special skills and gifts to help all of those whom she perceived needed help in the community on her job and at the church. Lady began her career as a social worker with Baltimore City's Mayor's Station as a Mayoral Assistant under the former mayor Kirk Schmoke . As the city's Population changed and typical urban issues increased, Gloria's responsibilities also increased. She developed and coordinated food, shelter and other programs to provide for the low income segment of the population. She was instrumental in bringing the “Toys for tots” program and Thanksgiving dinner to the needy in her zone of responsibility, which included Lombard Junior High School and Dunbar Senior High School – her Alma Mater. The Mayor's Station changed names and merged with other city agencies during the that time Gloria worked there. Eventually Gloria became Director of Community Action Agency and Crisis Center. When the Community Action Agency closed, she coordinated special programs that involved several city agencies that included Department of Public Works and the Department of Housing. Gloria was united in Holy Matrimony to Gerald Etheridge in June, 1980. She was blessed with two loving sons, Jerome and Duane, whom she nurtured and raised with much love. Upon early retirement from Baltimore City, Gloria joined the staff of the Mattie B. Uzzle Outreach Center. She counseled the women who were housed there and worked with those secured grants to support the programs they provided for those who were living with substance abuse issues. She also cooked the most delicious meals for the residents. On Wednesdays, she coordinated the distribution of fresh vegetables and fruit to the neighborhood that surrounded the center. Gloria used the experiences that she had from her city job to help minister to the needs of Israel congregants. She coordinated efforts for Toys for tots along with the nursery director of IBC for Israel's babies and kids. She was instrumental in distributing tickets for Israel’s Annual Pre- Thanksgiving Dinner to the resident of the community, as well as throughout the neighborhood, homeless, shelters, safe houses, and the homeless. At Israel Baptist Church , Lady was an active member of the Music Ministry. She sang with the Jubilee Chorus , Mass Choir, Women's Choir and the E.D. Meade Choral Ensemble where her tenor added just the right touch to the harmony. Sis Etheridge sang on the choirs of Israel Baptist Church under the directorship of Sis. Bernice Waker, Sis Joyce McNair -Gilbert and Min. Sherrod Whitehurst until she began her ministry through cooking with the culinary Ministry. Gloria was a special lady who loved people and used her gift of cooking to show her love and compassion. She served with the culinary part of ministry because Gloria, as well as Lenora’s daughter Debbie, were so much alike. Gloria became the Culinary Ministry Leader in 2007 and remained in that position until the end of 2009. She and Debbie were the Culinary Ministry members who were chosen to prepare Sunday breakfast for the first family. She was a “down home” cook, even though she was a city girl. It was nothing to go down to the dining hall and find her frying chicken backs?” she'd yell out, “Girl , do you want one of these chicken back” “Even if you knew that you shouldn't be eating that fried food, you just couldn't resist the golden brown crispy treat. When she attended an affair at the home friends, you could always count on her southern style pork barbecue, collards, and “ugly cake”. Gloria was a special woman who maintained a positive and loving attitude even through her illness during the few years of her life. She continued to attend church even when she was not feeling well. On Friday, December 23, 2011, at approximately 1:30 a.m., God, in His infinite wisdom, came to bring Gloria home and to take her out of her pain. She passed on to Glory, and as she laid in her husband's arms, she gently kissed him farewell. Lady leaves precious memories with her beloved husband, Gerald Etheridge; her two sons, Jerome(Donna) Carter and Duane Carter; her step-son, Gerald Etheridge; one foster son, Anthony Givens; twelve grandchildren, Jerome, Tierra, Moushira, Jewelle, Cameron, Jaidah, Reggie, Duane, Jr. (Michelle), Alicia (Shang), Jajuan, Dominic, Derrell; five great-grandchildren, Tynel, Ta'quan, Daniel, Johnanna and sha'lyse; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her Israel Baptist Church family.

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Gloria Carter Etheridge

April 15, 1946 - December 23, 2011