Gloria C. Searcy

Mrs. Gloria Colbert Searcy was born June 18, 1955 to the late Mrs. Mattie B. Colbert and Johnnie Colbert Jr. in Thomaston, Georgia. On Saturday, November 21, 2020, God called her home after a long battle with cancer.

During her youth, Mrs. Gloria Searcy found the Lord at an early age and became a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Thomaston, Georgia.

Never one to shy away from responsibilities, Gloria stepped in the role as a mother figure to her seven siblings after losing her mother at the age of nine.

She attended Upson County Public Schools and later graduated from Robert E. Lee Institute, Class of 1973.

While in high school, Gloria met the love of her life in Horace Searcy. They later married in 1976. Through their union they created four children and reared a total of five children together.

At the start of her career, Gloria broke barriers by serving as the first black cashier at McCarthy's Superette in Thomaston, Georgia. When she moved to Atlanta in 1976, she continued to display her responsibility and dedication when she began working at American Gourmet. It was there she developed a love for the food industry and was a faithful employee for fifteen years, until the company closed. She immediately resumed her career in the food industry with Edwards Bakery/Schwann until retirement twenty years later.

True to her roots, Gloria attended many churches while in Atlanta, but none felt like home to her. She eventually returned to Thomaston and joined New Lincoln Park African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served on the usher board and the culinary auxiliary until her passing.

Throughout her lifetime, Gloria lived her life by putting the needs of others before her own. She will be remembered most for her amazing red velvet cake, her ability to save, and her selflessness.

She is survived by her husband, Horace Searcy; aunt, Addie Pearl Ivy; children, Redonde Searcy Giles (Elmer), Shantel Searcy Banks (Corey), Orenthal Jamaal Searcy, Ali Kareem Searcy and Valeria Johnson; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Milve Colbert (Shelia) of Thomaston, Georgia, Dennis Colbert of Thomaston, Georgia, Joel Colbert (Yolanda) of Brooks, Georgia, Phyllis Loving of Griffin, Georgia, Deborah Trice (Alfred) of Ellenwood, Georgia, Johnnie Mae Smith of Thomaston, Georgia, Lynette Montgomery (Alan) of Thomaston, Georgia and Priscilla Colbert of Thomaston, Georgia; sisters and brothers-in-law, Annie Ruth Smith, Lamandia Atwater, Bobby Searcy (Kay), Elvis Searcy, Elaine Walker (Tonie), Naomi Harris and Ralph Searcy (Emma) all of Thomaston, Georgia, Lonnie Searcy (Dorothy) and Deloris Montgomery (Sanford) both of Atlanta, Georgia and Dorothy Carthon of Tampa, Florida; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her.

Visitation for Gloria will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from 3:00PM-5:00PM at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home-Fairview Chapel, 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. (Masks and Temperature Screenings will be required)

The Celebration of Life for Gloria C. Searcy will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 11:30AM in the chapel of Horis A. Ward Funeral Home, 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281 (Masks and Temperature Screenings will be required) Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limited seating, the service will be STREAMED LIVE via https://www.facebook.com/HAWFairview.

Mrs. Gloria C. Searcy will be laid to rest on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 10:30AM in Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Pink Frog Foundation via https://www.thepinkfrogfoundation.org.