Obituary of Gloria J Russell

A Celebration of a Life Well Lived “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”. Psalm 116:15. On Wednesday, January 26, 2023, The Lord called Gloria June Riley Russell to her heavenly home. Gloria June was born on June 26, 1925 in the Jersey City Hospital, Jersey City, NJ to the late  William and Pearl Riley.  She was the youngest of three girls.  Due to her mother’s illness and poor health, they were raised by their grandmother, Mary E. Day.  Gloria was cared for by her grandmother from six months to the age of ten years.  After a season, she then moved to New York City and was reunited with her mother.   Her early years of education were in the Glassboro Public School district where she attended the South Glassboro Public School.  There, she was taught by Miss Gator and Ms Rachel  McNeal.  She attended Jr. High and Central Commercial High School in New York City. Gloria would always come home to Glassboro on her summer vacations.  On one particular summer vacation, she met the “love of her life”, in the person of John Weldon Russell.  At that time, she was 16 years old, but they kept in touch.  During WW II, and John, being in the US Army, they continued to correspond with each other.  After a few months John was sent home from Europe and while on leave, Gloria and John eloped on December 26, 1945 to Elton, MD.  Four children were born to their union, John Weldon, Jr., Rodney Darryl, Ramona June and Brian James. Gloria accepted the Lord as her Personal Savior at an early age and she and her family attended the First Baptist Church, Glassboro under the leaderships of Rev. L.E. Simmons and Rev. Irvin Coleman.  While attending services Gloria was a member of the Senior Choir, served as chairman of the Annual Women’s Day program, hosted afternoon Teas and very often worked with the other ladies on the Kitchen Committee.  Gloria loved and was devoted to her church and family. Gloria, not wanting to lose contact with the parents of the children in the neighborhood and continue community supported events, she was inspired to share her interests and thoughts with PTA and community members, collectively, to form a Social Club.  Thus, in June of 1962, the Glassboro Orchid Club was formed.  This club was formed for the benefit and good of everyone in the community.  She was so dedicated during its formation that she held the first meetings in her home.  Many still remember her good works, leadership, and charitable contributions to the Orchid Club and a helping hand to college bound students.  Gloria was a dedicated employee for 33 years with Owens Illinois, Glassboro, NJ.  Gloria was predeceased in death by sons John Weldon, Jr., and Rodney Darryl, husband, John Weldon, Sr., and two sisters, Avis Robinson and Helen Roland. She leaves to remember her living legacy one daughter, Ramona June, one son, Brian James, both of Glassboro, NJ, 15 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, seven great, great grandchildren, two daughters-in-love, Hazel and Valerie Russell, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends too numerous to mention. Lovingly Submitted, The Family