Surrounded by her family, Gloria Oswalt Posey left her earthly home on December 25, 2017. Gloria, also known as Glory or Gogi to her grandchildren, was a woman of unyielding faith. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great- grandmother, and was a devout friend to many. Her faith in God, compassion, and positive outlook on life inspired all who knew her. Gloria was a talented cook, a voracious reader, and loved serving others in her community. She was selfless and poured her heart and soul into those she loved. One of her favorite sayings was “to have a friend you must be a friend.” She will be very missed by her family and community of Flora, MS. We rejoice in knowing she is welcomed with open arms by our Creator!
Gloria was born in the small delta town of Alligator, MS on February 14, 1930 to her parents Esther Gardner Oswalt and Newton Presley Oswalt. As a young girl, Gloria attended Duncan Elementary School in Duncan, MS and graduated from Clarksdale High School. She attended MSCW in Columbus, MS and then transferred to Millsaps College where she graduated with a BA in education. While attending Millsaps College she was an active member of Chi Omega sorority. Later, she received a master’s degree in education from Mississippi College. Gloria was an elementary school teacher at Flora Public schools, Tri County Academy, French School, McWillie School, and MS Baptist School in Jackson. She owned and operated Posey’s Store, which was a ladies’ apparel and gift shop, until retirement in 1994. She was a long-time, faithful member of the Flora Methodist Church and was honored in 2006 in the church registry for her church work for over 50 years. She served on many committees and held many leadership positions within the church. Her family would like to give a very special thanks to Dr. Paul Seago and his staff and all of the nurses and staff in the Infusion Lab of St. Dominic’s Hospital for five years of treatment and friendship. Thanks to Dr. Albert Steele and to MS Home Health in Yazoo City and Baptist Hospice.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband R.H. (Sonny) Posey, sister Ruth Locke Billings, niece Patricia Locke, nephew Charles Newton Locke and his wife Theresa Locke, and great-nephew Michael Zane Kanne. She is survived by sister Gail Cauthen (Clarksdale, MS), sons Henry Presley Posey (Flora, MS) and William Jeffrey Posey (Dawn) (Longview, TX), daughter Leisa Posey Rucker (Joe) (Madison, MS), grandchildren William Jeffrey Posey, Jr. (McLaine) (Brandon, MS), Andrew Keys Posey (Longview, TX), Joseph Spencer Rucker (Madison, MS), Emily Paige Rucker (Madison, MS), great-grandchildren Gracyn McLaine Posey and William Jeffrey Posey III (Trace), nieces Janet Cauthen Kanne and Barbara Cauthen Meals, and nephews Clay Cauthen and James Cauthen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Flora United Methodist Church Building Fund or The American Cancer Society.
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