Mrs. Gloria Lillian Ragland

On October 6, 2024, the Ragland Family lost our Matriarch, our Mother Dear, our “Glo”, our Grammy, Gloria Lillian Ragland, who was called home by the Lord, to reside among His angels. Gloria was born on August 14, 1936, in Dunham, Kentucky, the oldest of nine children, to John and Mary Clifton (nee Butler). Gloria’s father, John, worked as a coal miner during those early years, and as was the custom, Mary Clifton was a housewife and managed the day to day needs of their growing family. Gloria graduated from Kimball High, Class of 1951 in Welch West Virginia, The Clifton Family had by then relocated to West Virginia where John Clifton had secured work there in the coal industry, In November 1954, as teenagers Gloria and her younger sister Yvonne moved to Buffalo, NY to live with their father. One day Aunt Tee (Yvonne) and Mom by chance saw James Ragland (Uncle Sonny) walking down the street. The Ragland family had also moved to Buffalo from Welch and they renewed their friendship. Uncle Sonny introduced Gloria to John Ragland (Mickey) and the rest as they say is history. and Gloria was married on August 14, 1962, and in that union, they raised 5 children. In the 1960s the family moved to Columbus Ohio and resided there until 1974 when they moved to Atlanta GA where dad began work with Norfolk Southern Railway. Gloria worked in retail but was always a fulltime housewife and mother. Gloria was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother and loved her family beyond measure. Gloria treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her eventual role as “Grammy”. She had a vivacious personality and everyone who met her fell in love with her. Gloria was always immaculately dressed and groomed. She maintained her appearance and optimism even during her numerous doctors’ visits. The nurses would always compliment her on her outfits. She was a fantastic cook in the kitchen, kept an immaculate home, was a master gardener (which was her passion). Gloria loved the Atlanta Braves and watched the Western Channel (Gunsmoke and Tombstone were among her favorites. Gloria battled lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. During her health battle, she cared for her husband as he battled liver cancer. The strength and courage she showed her family was inspiring and instilled in them strong values, love and faithfulness to each other and the Lord. We later learned from her Oncologist that after her first brain surgery they only expected mom to live 6 weeks to 3 months. This little lady lived 3 years and survived a second brain surgery. But God…and her amazing Gloria was a dedicated member of Elizabeth Baptist Church until her health condition made it impossible. But every Sunday she would attend online Church until the end. Gloria was preceded in death by her late husband John W. Ragland, her siblings Fred Clifton, John Clifton Jr. Ronald Clifton, Nolan Clifton, Donald Clifton and Louis Wade. She is survived by her children, Mona (Gregory), Hudson, Clarence Ragland, Kathy Ragland, Shawnta Ragland, Daniele (Alphonso Lowe), 13 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, Her siblings Yvonne Ragland, Raymond Clifton, Natalie Wade, Louise Welch, Ellen Harris-Harvey, James Ragland, Ernestine Ragland McCullough, Nadine Ragland as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friendsstrength we had her in our lives another 3 years. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

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Mrs. Gloria Lillian Ragland

August 14, 1936 - October 6, 2024