Gloria S. Smith

Gloria’s Story “When I come to the end of my journey And I travel my last weary mile, Just forget if you can that I ever frowned And remember only the smile.” On Saturday, January 6, 2024 our beloved Gloria Swanson Ledbetter-Smith peacefully transitioned to the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the presence of her dear sister, Geraldine Byrd. To her family Gloria has always been their guardian and their rock. Gloria was born April 17, 1932 in Hamlet, North Carolina. She was the eldest of five children born to the late Gilbert and Annie Ledbetter. Gloria began her walk with the Lord at an early age. She along with her parents and siblings attended St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion church in Hamlet. As a youth she attended Sunday school and served as secretary. She also attended Vacation Bible School and participated in other youth activities. Gloria was educated in the Hamlet Public School System. After graduating in 1950 from Capital Highway High School, she went on to continue her education at North Carolina Central University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Science in 1954. Education was always a passion for Gloria. After college she taught in Winnsboro, South Carolina for three years and also coached the local high school girls’ basketball team. She then joined her sister Geraldine, in Chester Pennsylvania where she began her long teaching career in the Chester-Upland School District. As a Physical Education Teacher at Booker T. Washington Elementary School, teaching students who had so many social and academic difficulties inspired her to enter graduate school to acquire a degree in Guidance and Counseling. After achieving her degree she became a Guidance Counselor at Showalter Middle School. She later transferred to a School Counselor position at Chester High School where she retired after 35 years in education. Upon arriving in Chester, Gloria joined Siloam United Methodist Church under the pastorate of Rev. John B. Redmond. In 1992 Gloria was united in marriage to Harold T. Smith and moved her membership to Murphy A.M.E. Church. She served on various committees including the Scholarship Committee. She also sang with the voices of Murphy. She was a lover of social gatherings especially during the holidays. Family and friends brought so much joy to Gloria. She enjoyed entertaining and inviting family and friends to her home for gatherings or just for visits. Gloria was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter, Newark, DE. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Annie Ledbetter, her husband, Harold T. Smith, brothers: John Gilbert Ledbetter and Gilbert Alexander Ledbetter. Gloria leaves to cherish her memory a step daughter, Debra Smith-Warrick (Dea. Warrick) of Middletown, DE; two sisters: Geraldine Byrd of Media, PA., Betty James (Thomas) of Mays Landing, NJ; one brother, Johnny Ledbetter (Sedalia) of Manassas, VA; three grandchildren: Tyrone (Kelly), Donald and Tonya all of Middletown, DE; two sisters-in-law: Olivia Carter of Newark, DE and Leona Taylor of Smyrna, DE. A host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Lovingly submitted, The Family

Gloria S. Smith

April 17, 1932 - January 6, 2024