Gloria LeVarn Jones

Gloria LeVarn Jones, the daughter of Richard Allen Jones, Sr. and Hattie Louise Simmons Jones, was born on January 21, 1945, at her home in Eatonville, Florida. Gloria was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 1, 2024. Beloved by her family, students, and colleagues, Ms. Jones was a pillar in her community, an educator at her core. At a very early age, Gloria learned to have compassion and empathy for others. As a child, she took it upon herself to help the widowers in her community. She would help out with household chores, nurse the sick and even spend the night when they needed that extra support. Her younger years molded her into the very compassionate and giving person she was. Gloria graduated in the Hungerford High School class of 1963 in Eatonville, and then furthered her education at the historic Bethune-Cookman College (now Bethune-Cookman University) in Daytona Beach, Florida. She pledged to the Beta Eta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. Gloria began her career teaching at Hungerford Elementary School in Eatonville. She then moved to Miami where she finished her career at Hibiscus Elementary. Gloria was fiercely devoted to education and took immense pride in her work. She earned many honors and awards in her profession, including Teacher of the Year. Teaching is so often credited as the greatest act of optimism —the art of assisting discovery. In this, Gloria succeeded more than any of us will ever know. After 36 years as an educator, Gloria moved back home to Eatonville to be close to family. She dedicated herself to supplementing the education of her great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great -great nephews after school and over summer breaks. Gloria also spent countless hours tutoring extended family members and friends. It became her custom to provide the youth in the family with personalized storybooks. Who wouldn’t enjoy reading when you’re a main character in a book? Her aid to others was endless. She was on a mission to combat illiteracy by utilizing her summer breaks teaching adults how to read. Apart from being an educator at heart, she was also an active member of St. Lawrence A.M.E. Church in Eatonville. Gloria enjoyed caring for children in the family and showed her love and devotion through cooking. Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. She was adamant that family came first and consistently encouraged unity within the family by hosting parties that brought everyone together. She became something of a surrogate mother to one of her great-niece, JoNaya Ware, who moved in with Gloria after her first extended hospital stay. JoNaya continued to live with Gloria and they supported one another creating many beautiful memories until JoNaya married and moved away. Even after JoNaya moved out of state they stayed in daily contact speaking to Gloria’s engaging spirit. Gloria was loved by her family and friends. Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Richard A. Jones, Sr.; mother, Hattie Louise Jones; brothers, Syke Jones and Richard A. Jones, Jr.; and sister, Hortense C. Jones. Left to sustain her legacy: her brother, Ephraim Rudolph Jones, and sisters, Gertrude Bell, and Jean Jones Alexander (Duke), her devoted niece and great-niece Angela Rentz and JoNaya Ware (Zechariah), a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, two Godsons: Charlie Johnson and Willie C. Bratcher and a host of other sorrowing family and friends.

Tributes

Gloria LeVarn Jones

January 21, 1945 - July 1, 2024