Gloria Wauneen Saddler Thomas

Gloria Wauneen Saddler Thomas was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, the 5th child of the late Isaiah and Hillary Saddler. She received her early education in St. Louis public schools and graduated from Charles Sumner High School. Before going to Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), Gloria took a Business course for year. After receiving her certificate, she was granted a job in the Business Office at Oakwood to help with her schooling. Her music education included singing in the Oakwood College choir, playing for the girls’ worship service and taking private piano lessons from Dr. O.B. Edwards. She graduated from Oakwood with a B.A. in English and minor in Business, after which she was hired to work in the Business Office and teach Business English and Typing at the college.

In the summer of 1946, Gloria met Corloyd Holland Thomas and they were married in 1947. The couple later moved to New York in 1948 to further their education and subsequently became the proud parents of twins, Karen Lynnette and Sharon Wynné.

While in New York, Gloria worked for the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as secretary to Treasurer Elder Roberts (1949-50) and secretary to the Education Secretary Emerton Whidbee (1954-58). She also taught Music for Grades 1-8 at Manhattan Elementary (1951-53). From 1962 to 1964, she taught Grades 5-8 at Linden Elementary and served as a part-time Music teacher at Brooklyn Elementary and secretary in the Business Office. Gloria also served as Associate School Superintendent to the New York Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School system from 1969-1970.

During her busy school and Business Office schedules, Gloria faithfully served her church, Linden Seventh-day Adventist, as pianist. She later became the pianist for the Lindenairs under the direction of Ruth Fordham-Perkins. The choir became quite outstanding, traveling and singing in various churches and performing for the general public. They even performed at the New York World’s Fair in 1964!

In 1973, Gloria enhanced her education at Hofstra University, where she received her Master’s in Special Education. She taught at Queen’s Psychiatric Center and School for 18 years. She was voted Teacher of the Year in 1986 for the New York State Schools, receiving a bonus and trip to Albany, New York. She retired in 1988 and moved with her husband to Spring Hill, Florida.

After her retirement, Gloria served as pianist for the Spring Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was also employed by the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, serving as choir leader and pianist. She played for other organizations such as Afro American Club, Brotherhood/Sisterhood banquets, AARP luncheons, Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooksville, Florida, a NAACP banquet and Men’s Choir. She also furnished background music for the Spring Hill Women’s Ministry at the Evergreen Retirement Center.

Over the years, Gloria traveled extensively in the Caribbean Islands, Europe, the Orient, South America and the U.S. She enjoyed all types of music and collected beautiful and exotic dolls.

Gloria is survived by her daughters Karen Lynnette Coleman (James), and Sharon Wynné Thomas; granddaughter Donna Lynette Coleman; brother Thomas Saddler (Thea) and family; niece Ifeoma Kwesi (daughter Renene Craft (Curtis)) and family; niece Sherilyn Wilkins (daughter Christina Thomas and son Charles Thomas); nephew Frank Hale, III (Irene and son Frank Hale, IV) and family; niece Cynthia Ballard (son John) and many more beloved family and friends.