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Gloria L Walton, age 83, of Duluth, Georgia passed away on September 4, 2020.
A Personal Message from her son, Sterling Walton:
Something I never thought I’d do is write my part of an obituary (1 of 3 children) for a person with whom I believed would outlive me. Strange as that may sound, my mother was one of the toughest ladies I’ve known and she took comfort (I believe) in saying that she would live forever. My memories of that tough little lady had always been overshadowed by the fact that she lived life on her terms and the only thing that could/did change her direction, was when Cancer entered her/our lives.
Gloria Leatriz Walton was born November 25, 1936 and left us September 4, 2020. Cancer and it’s subsequent treatment seemed to propel her into the jaws of Dementia with its chronic and detrimental affect on her mind & body. Her moniker “a person that would live forever” will forever be embedded within my remembrance. When I came to be with her whilst in the throes of her affliction, a beautiful thing happened; a recreation of that “mother child” bond we had when I was very young. For that, I will be forever grateful.
While I stayed with her, I began to believe that she would continue to live on even in her weakened physically confined state. I was very near leaving to go back home when my mother suddenly decided to leave us and perhaps this too was on her own terms. I will always love and respect you my young at heart mother, thank you for bringing me into this world and imparting your tenacious spirit upon all that had the opportunity to know you.
Your Loving Son
Background Story:
Gloria Walton was born in Pomona, California on November 25, 1936. She was a devoted daughter, sister, mother of three, and wife to Kenneth. She explored the world with a fervor, and enjoyed travel or her “adventures” both internationally, nationally and to local destinations. Always looking for the next opportunity for new experiences, yet – she was just as content seeing a new kids movie with her great-grandson, Asher. She brought sparks and sparkle to any situation, and was always willing to support her family and friends and never – ever met a stranger.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ignacio and Beatriz Anaya Lopez; brother, Jamie Lopez; and her husband, Kenneth Walton.
Gloria is survived by her children, Courtney Wade, Allison Walton and Sterling Walton; grandchildren, Kinsey Wade, Cooper Wade and Carson Wade; great-grandchild, Asher Rodriguez and many dear friends and beloved cousins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Drake House. https://thedrakehouse.org/donate/ . The Drake House program fortifies mothers and their children and helps them to be contributing members of the community. Gloria loved clothes and felt that clothing should make the world a more colorful place, but also knew they empower the wearer.
An Open House event is scheduled on Wednesday, September 9 from 4:30 to 7 PM for local friends and family. A Memorial Memories of Gloria Video will be created using contributions from friends and family, and will be shared as soon as possible.
The family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 3570 Buford Hwy #202, Duluth, GA 30096 (678) 584-0914 www.GeorgiaCremation.com .
Dao Nguyen-Howell says
Dear Sterling, Courtney and family,
I am feeling very sad Gloria has passed. She is always in my heart..
RIP my dear friend and sister.
With my sympathy.
Love,
Dao🙏
Gina O’Brien says
Courtney,
I so enjoyed getting to know your mom at Inspired. I loved her fiesty spirit. I had many a good conversation with her. I wish you peace during this time and thank you for allowing us to care for her!
Blessings,
Gina O’Brien
Care coordinator
Embrace/Traditions Hospice
Rodriguez says
The world just got a little less lively without this beautiful lady. We always enjoyed being in her presence. She will be missed by many. We are praying for peace and comfort for the family. Godspeed, Gloria!
Love,
Julie and Gary Rodriguez
Lynda Wade Wood says
I will truly miss Gloria at all of our family celebrations. She thought that I should always have the Easter celebration at my house and she wanted to have a 4th of July party at hers every year. She taught me how to make the most delicious meatloaf I’ve ever tasted at one of her parties.
The qualities I most admire of Gloria:
Her direct, complete honesty, the great love of her family, her funny, quirky expressions, her upbeat style, her colorful, artsy decor, and her love of entertaining others-she was a fabulous cook like her daughter, Courtney.
I am sure it was a true gift of love to her to have her son, Sterling come here from California to take care of her. And it has been a wonderful gift of love for her Grandson, Carson to live with her and be there to help her in whatever she needed. Over the last few years he has taken her to many doctor appointments and stayed with her till the end. Gloria told Mother and I regarding Carson last week: “He is just terrific”!
Throughout her time living in Georgia, Courtney and Rick have been so supportive of her in anyway needed. I am so thankful she was able to build strong bonds with her family here with the many memories she made with us all.
My love and prayers go out to Courtney and her family during this time for sustaining peace💖
Le Bradham “Umma” says
Dear Family,
To meet Gloria was to love her! Her personality alone drew you to her. I only met her on two occasions but she was unforgettable. After my move to Mount Pleasant, she called me out of the blue. She had just “run across” my phone number and wanted to say hello! We enjoyed the phone visit. She talked about how much she loved our great grand son, Asher. She was gracious, loved her family and loved life. She will be missed. God Bless all of you.
Lahilahi says
I will miss those 3 hour conversations that felt like only 10 minutes went by.
Gloria was the Spice of Life. It was an honor to be her friend.
She’s on a new adventure❤
Kasey Lehn says
I will always remember Miss Gloria for her spunk and smile. She was quick witted and always had an answer for everything! True, she NEVER met a stranger and was so caring for those around her. She touched my life and inspired me to never give up no matter how hard things get – there is always a way. Thank you Gloria and thank you to her Family for allowing us to care for and love your mom! She will be missed.
Marilyn and Jim Johnson says
As I sit here trying to remember all 61 years of knowing Gloria, narrowing down the many great times and trips we had together is not easy. She and Ken were our daughter Pamela’s god parents, the picnics at the beach and then the great evenings with shows and dinners in San Francisco, the spa trip to Mexico, the Panama cruise where the airline lost her luggage the first 6 days of our trip, and then trips to Hawaii where she lived for a few years, group trip to Egypt, our trip to Africa where we had to take half of her shoes, purses and outfits out before we left to get down to 1 suit case with a carry on. Every time she moved there was so much more to explore like Santa Barbara and then to Montecito. She started a “sewing club” a month after meeting her in Fenelli’s Fertile Flats. We were all newly married and got together once a month at each other house not to sew but to talk and we did like to do crafts and of course a desert. Such a fun time.
We will deeply miss our BFF and companion.
Gloria rest in peace.
Marilyn and Jim Johnson
Claire Eggert says
I’m so sorry to hear of Gloria’s passing. She was always so full of life and adventure. I met Gloria in the late 60’s and we became inseparable. We had so much in common and loved a lot of the same things, especially shopping for antiques, which we called “junking.” We were born the same year only 5 days apart. We went on many adventures and our families spent a lot of time together. My daughter and I visited Gloria, Ken and the kids when they were living on Oahu For Ken’s job. What a memorable trip that was! Gloria taught me how to drive with all of the kids in the back seat of my 1968 Cougar. We had a dog wedding for our dogs Kutya and Muffin. We picked out goats for all 4 kids. There was always an adventure and lots of fun with Gloria! It was a nice surprise to get phone calls from her starting about 6 months ago. I was so shocked when I heard of her passing. She was always so full of life! My condolences to Courtney, Allison and Sterling. I’m sure your hearts are aching now. Thankfully you have so many wonderful memories of your mother to fill your hearts. Much love, Claire and Jennifer
Marlene Sexson says
I keep looking at this page and I just don’t believe that I’m trying to sum up my relationship with Gloria…She was my “Auntie Mame” I Always relived her trips by the hours we spent on the phone..one thing that we did was just our secret ..My husband worked with Ken at Sylvania and I met Gloria at the company Christmas party..she found out that we were buying a small farm that Tobe’s parents would live on..Tobe said he just wanted to raise nubian goats..Off goes Goria to invite us to a diner..it was a surprise party for us and there was this beautiful little goat from all of the people Tobe worked with..Gloria had a blanket and a big bag of food for us to take home. She said just leave the feedbag open and fresh water..so we got home and got the goat all settled..in the morning the kids were all excited to see the goat..It was horrible the goat was dead..I called the vet and he said a goat will over eat and should never had the whole bag a feed..I called Gloria and said how in the hell was I going to write all the thank you notes for a dead goat we killed…the guy who sold her the goat never explained about the food..so we made a deal never to mention the goat to anyone …Tobe bought another goat..A world with out Gloria will never be the same..beautiful,fun, creative and one of a kind..we had many small trips together and I will miss her after 55 years of our friendship..Marlene and girls Angela,Erika,Sheila and Molly
Donna Jean Bliss Holden says
I did not know Gloria well but she was like a Auntie Mame to me. The life of the party and yes one of a kind. She will be missed but I bet she is the life of the party she is having in heaven.
Donna Bliss Levesque. Thank you Gloria for many fun times.
Arlene Gaspar says
Dear Sterling and family,
Am sad and am sorry for your great loss. I never met your mom but I heared so many beautiful things about her from you. I don’t know why I cried and felt deep pain in my heart as I read the obituary. Maybe because I felt so close to her in spirit because she loved and spoiled Chikabee. Chikabee is family, so I felt connected to her. I am glad that Chikabee shared memorable happy moments with your mom. I will never forget when I asked you how was your mom like. You said she is kind and loving. I told you, you are very lucky. I don’t know if you remember, I told you to tell your mom that she raised a wonderful son.
My deepest sympathy & prayers to you and your family.
Arlene
Pamela Gonzalez says
I keep thinking my Nina is still here. Its so hard to belive she is really gone. If it wasn’t for my God mother “nina” I would never got my first horse my dream came true because she was my Nina. She always let me stay at the house. I don’t have a single childhood memory without Nina, Courtney,Alison and Sterling in it….
After growing up she still kept in touch always emailed called or just showed up out of the blue. I think of her when I go out to the barn every day to feed the horses and chickens.
She will always be in my hearts. To know my Nina was to love her, she had heart ❤ so big, she loved people and life. You were lucky and loved if you were part of hers. I miss her so much. Its really hard for me to write this. Courtney, Allison and Sterling I am so sorry for your loss I know it must be really hard on you all. Know she is always in your heart. Love and miss you all. Pamela 🥰
Carol Merrill says
I just learned today of Gloria’s passing. We had known each other since the late 70’s when we met thru a mutual friend and ended up playing racquetball on a weekly basis. My second husband and I got married at their lovely home in Los Altos Hills early on a Sunday morning in July 1980 and Ken cooked brunch for the small group of friends and family who attended.
Gloria and I had the type of friendship that we could not talk for a year or two and then just pick up like we had seen each other last week. We both moved a lot – her to Southern California, Hawaii, Northern California and finally Georgia; me to Southern California, Georgia, Oregon and now Nevada. We just missed being in Georgia together – she moved there in December 2014 as we were moving to Oregon that same month.
Gloria and I haven’t spoken in a year or so and I decided today was the day to call her and catch up. My heart skipped a couple of beats when I got the message that her number was no longer in service but I have gotten that message before so I didn’t panic.
A bit later I received a call from Courtney telling me my dear friend was gone.
I will miss hearing ‘Yes’ when she answered the phone and I will miss her.
Don Dougherty says
I stumbled upon this by chance. I am your cousin on your father’s side. Don Dougherty, son of Barbara (Walton) you father’s younger sister.
Like you father I graduated from UCSB (in 1978) and while attending university I once visited your home in Palo Alto (as I recall) with my girlfriend for a weekend. First (and only) time to meet my younger cousins. You were disinterested. Courtney was aloof. And Allison was friendly to us. LOL. I only know of your parents through stories from my own mom. But… your mom – my aunt– and one of her “besties” came to Santa Barbara and spent a weekend and got to know me a bit and reminisce about her own time there. We had a blast as she turning out to be quite a surprising woman as an aunt I did not know.
Please reach out and mention this to your two sisters and request the same contact from them: email me at dondougherty1@mac.com
Best wishes cuz