Gloria Sue Black

GLORIA SUE BLACK, 58, of West Hamlin, departed for her Heavenly reward, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2016. Her passing was so sudden and so unexpected, robbing us of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Born on August 11, 1957, she was the daughter of the late Scott Carl Adkins and Goldie Adkins.

Her father predeceased her just 22 days earlier. She leaves behind her loving mother, Goldie; husband, David Black; daughter, Tabitha Black and son in law, Sean O'Donoghue of Hamlin; son, David Black, II, and daughter in law, Lura Cooper of West Hamlin; brothers, Scott Adkins, Jr. (Jackie) and David "Flimsy" Adkins (Tina), both of Hamlin; sister, Dianne Jackson of Louisville, Kentucky; four grandchildren who she loved and cherished, and all of whom adored their wonderful Mimi: Lily Black, Caleb Cooper, Emma Black, and Zara O'Donoghue; many nieces and nephews who loved to share time with their aunt; and a wide of circle of friends.

A graduate of Hamlin High School, Gloria worked in a number of professions throughout her sadly curtailed time with us. While raising her young family, she operated a popular Hamlin restaurant for a number of years. After retiring from the customer service sector some years ago, Gloria immersed herself in a pressing vocation, the dutiful care and support of her family. Her days became filled with doctor appointments and tests, errands and road miles, phone calls and mail opening, shopping lists and reams of paperwork. These many tasks were invariably for others, and all too rarely for herself. She cared for her parents, husband, children, grandchildren, and so many, many others, never ceasing to give of herself for the welfare of those she loved.

Matthew 25: 35-36 - For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat. I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink. I was a stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Gloria rarely stopped, and when she did, it was usually to share a moment or a meal with family and friends. She did this with joy, humor, candor, and kindness. When the rare time to unwind would finally roll around, Gloria was most at ease on the shores of North Carolina, at Holden Beach. There, this loving wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter would rise early to see the sun's first peek over the stretching Atlantic Ocean. There, she would walk a mile or two along the sands, looking for special shells. Her most recent trip came in 2013, a week long escape filled with those barefoot walks, the lapping waves, and the joyful sights and sounds of her young grandchildren at the water's edge. She now walks where the breeze is light, where the sun is always risen, and where the burdens of her earthly days are no more.

Visitation for the late Gloria Black will be held at Handley Funeral Home in Hamlin from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016. Her funeral service will be at the Lincoln Church of God, West Hamlin, on Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Lonnie Wilson officiating.

She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved father at the Lovejoy Cemetery in Palermo.