Gloria Coulter

Gloria Coulter, age 88, of Cedar Hill, Texas passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Gloria was the first child born of eleven children from the union of Marie Grant-Carson and Isiah Carson on August 9, 1934 in Charleston, South Carolina. Affectionately known to her siblings as Francis, she grew up in the area between Ave. E and Hanover Street, not too far from the bustling docks of Charleston and attended public schools through High School. Soon, she met a U.S. Air Force Airmen named John Willis Coulter who quickly became the love of her life.

In 1955, Gloria and John were married, initially relocating to Mineral Wells then settling in Dallas, Texas where they were blessed with 5 children. Gloria “Jean” (the nickname her husband lovingly gave her) raised their children to love the Lord and attend church. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School and singing in the church choir at Munger Avenue Baptist Church. When the family moved into their first new home, Gloria and John transferred their membership to Mt. Tabor Baptist Church. She was employed at Bishop College and worked there for ten years until she was offered a better opportunity at the Veterans Hospital Gift Shop where she retired after 20 years of dedicated service as a government employee.

Gloria and John left their iconic yellow and green home on Leland College Drive and moved to a new home in Cedar Hill in 2002. They also joined Lake Ridge Baptist Church, a kind congregation within walking distance of their new neighborhood. Both were active in the church. In her final years, her membership was with Cedar Heights Baptist Church.

Gloria loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. Every Sunday, you would find the entire family making their way to her home to get a warm bowl of her famous pinto beans, a corner of sweet cornbread, tender steak, a glass of sweet tea, and a bowl of Black Walnut ice cream for dessert. She was kind and giving, always willing to share what she had to the friends and family who visited. You always left her presence with a full stomach, a good laugh, wise words, and a plate to-go.

Additionally, she loved to travel. When the kids were young, Gloria and John created family memories, taking their family of 7 to visit Houston, San Antonio, and other cities across the state. When the kids left home, Gloria and John expanded their vacation destinations to New York, Hawaii, Las Vegas, the Bahamas, Lake Tahoe, and more. They took their grandchildren to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Disney World in Florida, and many other locations. Within the last ten years, she was able to attend a family reunion in Charleston with her son Michael (Roderick) and tour New England and Martha’s Vineyard with her daughter Carolyn. In 2018, she got her first passport stamp when she traveled to London and Germany, visiting her brother Kenneth with her daughter Cecilia, and granddaughters Tamekia, Faith, and Joyous.

Gloria was a faithful mother who would always say she was ‘grateful for her children’. She was ‘Gram’ to her grand-children who adored her. She was funny with a quick-wit and easy-going personality. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, a win at Wednesday bingo at the Cedar Hill Community Center, and a good deal at the “Thrifty Stores” around town. Most of all she was the matriarch; a gentle powerhouse who left a legacy of grace and honor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Coulter family.