Gloria Smith Taylor

Gloria Jean Smith Taylor, 73, died Friday, Oct. 4, at UNC-Rockingham Hospital following a short illness.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Shaw Christian Church Disciples of Christ at 208 The Boulevard, Eden, where Gloria was a member.

She was a native of Leaksville (now Eden).

After her parents moved to Florida where her father was one of the first construction workers at Disney World, Gloria and her young son, Michael Taylor, joined them. They remained there until her father retired and the family moved back to Eden.

For a number of years, Gloria worked as a cross-country school bus delivery driver for Thomas Bus but eventually took a dispatcher position with the company.

After the death of her father, Gloria began caring for her mother, who will be 102 years old in December. She dedicated the last years of her life to being a loving daughter.

During Covid, Gloria seldom left their home and did not allow visitors in an attempt to protect her mother's health.

Michael died in an automobile accident on May 30, 1995, at the age of 24.

Surviving with her mother, Arabelle West Smith, are two brothers, Steve Smith of Stoneville, and Charles Edwin "Eddie" Smith of Robinson, Ill.

In addition to her son, Gloria was preceeded in death by her father, Calvin Smith.

Memorials may be made to the Rockingham County Food Coalition, 260 Chinqua-Penn Trail, Reidsville, N.C. 27320.