Gloria J. Tate

Gloria J. Tate, 64, passed away Aug. 22, 2011 in Katy, Texas after a courageous and graceful two-year battle with cancer. Gloria was born Oct. 12, 1946, in Dover, Ohio to Henry and Beatrice Richards. This loving and charming little sister was one of 11 beautiful children in a home of love and happiness. Gloria graduated from New Philadelphia (Ohio) High School in 1966 and later attended Kent State (Ohio) University where she studied nursing.

During her years in Ohio, she was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Dover. She served as the Children's Choir Director, Children's Christmas Program Director and a Children's Sunday School Teacher with the Church. Gloria's interests also included traveling, fitness, lawn and gardening and spending time with her five grandchildren. She was a driven, determined and hard-working independent woman who was never afraid to explore. Adventuring and learning was her credo, something she encouraged her children and grandchildren to do each day.

An adventurous Gloria moved to Houston in the early 1980's and became a Texan at heart, she joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and then later moved to what she called her "home", Second Baptist Church, in Katy, Texas. She was a devoted member of the Second Baptist congregation and spent many evenings and weekends with her beloved friends from her Bible study group.

Professionally, Gloria worked in fashion retail for more than 26 years, many of those years with Neiman-Marcus. While she was consistently a top sales performer with the company, many of her colleagues and customers more importantly referred to her as a bundle of happiness, joy and smiles.

Gloria is survived by her sisters, Roberta Walker of Detroit, Mich., Marlene Barbee, Charlotte Simpson, Carol McGuire, Thresa Richards, all of Cleveland, Ohio; and her brother, Robert Richards of Detroit, Mich. She is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Toi and Henry Williams of Katy, Texas and their three children, Derek, Deion and Destiny. Finally, she is survived by her son and daughter- in-law, Stann and Ann Tate and their two children, Kanon and Baron of Kansas City, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Beatrice as well as her siblings, Floyd Richards, Evelyn Hart, Timothy Richards and Frederick Richards.

Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 140 Regent Street, Dover, Ohio. Donations in Gloria's memory may be sent to First Baptist Church.