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Reflections of Gloria Quinn Jackson

Gloria's journey of life began on September 30, 1921 at the height of the depression in Oklahoma City, OK. She was born to Luther B. and Amanda C. Quinn and was the youngest of four children. Her oldest sister died of the raging flu so her parents and her brother Jewel, with whom she grew up, loved her dearly. The family moved to Tulsa from Oklahoma City when the children were very young. Her childhood was one that left a strong impression of a happy, loving family that worked very hard to make ends meet financially. She enrolled at Dunbar Elementary School, went to Carver Jr. High School and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1938. Her interest in education continued whether it was educating herself or others.

She attended Langston University, Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia, and graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she majored in sociology. Gloria continued her education at the University of Tulsa where she received her Masters Degree. She accepted Christ at age 13, and was active in Sunday School and youth activities at First Baptist Church North Tulsa. During her adult years she continued active involvement in Sunday School Department as a teacher, was a member of the Ruth Morris Circle and had a leadership role in Women's Mission.

During her young adult years Gloria worked in Chicago, but retired to her beloved home of Tulsa. She was hired in the Tulsa Public Schools where she worked diligently to help educate three generations of children. She considered this work an honor and taught at Dunbar, Burbank, and Frost Elementary Schools. She was viewed as fun loving among her peers and a strong disciplinarian and effective teacher among students. She enjoyed a brief marriage to Vernon Jackson, who relocated to California. Gloria chose to remain in Tulsa and so the marriage ended. She loved her immediate family dearly which included her brother Jewel with whom she was very close. She was a very giving and loving aunt to his seven children and are a part of their earliest memories. She helped with the guidance of their education and assisted in any way needed. One of her nieces moved to Tulsa to attend Oral Roberts University and has remained in the Tulsa area, two of the nieces lived with the family and attended Tulsa Public Schools, she taught her nephew how to read when he was four-years-old and he later graduated from two Ivy League Schools including Princeton University and Howard University Medical School.

She retired seventeen years ago and has enjoyed involvement in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority including leadership roles, the Nonagenarian Society, League of Women Voters, church involvement and was active in a bridge club. Many remember her fondly as a writer of the Oklahoma Eagle article, "Scoopin the Scoop". She loved her family, church and community immensely and gave endlessly and worked tirelessly in their support. 

Our dear Aunt Gloria was a wonderful role-model. She paved a trail for us in many areas as she was a pioneer as one of the early African-American students at the University of Tulsa, as well as an employee in the County Tax office and as a teacher during the years of desegregation. Her nephews, nieces, and great nephews and great nieces and her many students and Sunday School students are her legacy. She will live in our hearts forever. 

Her parents, brothers Jewel Ardell Quinn, Sr. and Rev Dr. LeRoy B. Quinn and sister Wilma who died at age three all preceded her in death

Gloria departed this life on April 21, 2006, to be with her Lord and loved ones. She leaves to cherish her memory her nieces, Audrey McGill and her husband James McGill, great niece Lauren McGill and great nephew Michael Blake McGill of Tulsa: Gloria Quinn-Wright and her husband Earl Wright of Lexington, Kentucky and great nieces Lindsay Wright and great nephew Wesley Wright; Donna Owens of St. Louis, Missouri; Sandra Quinn of Laurel, Maryland and great nephews Philip Quinn, Christopher Quinn and great niece Alexandra Quinn; Gail Brownlee and her husband George Brownlee of Bowie, Maryland and great nieces Jessica Taylor and Aniyah Brownlee and great nephew Donovan Brownlee; Michelle Owens and her husband Rodney Owens of St. Louis, Missouri and great niece, Ryane Owens; her niece Lonzetta Morrison of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and her eight children and her brother and their families. Also her sister-in-law Zelma Quinn of St. Louis, Missouri, who was her brother Jewel's wife and mother of their children, her nephew Dr. Jewel Ardell Quinn, Jr. Gloria will also be remembered by many cousins and other relatives, friends and former co-workers.


May I Go Now

May I go now, do you think the time is right. May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless nights. I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be. So I can take that step beyond and set my spirit free. I didn't want to go at first; I fought with all my might, but something seems to draw me now to warm and loving light. I want to go, I really do, it's difficult to stay. But I will try as best I can and lie just one more day. To give you time to care for me, and share your love and fears. I know you're sad and afraid because I see your tears. I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know, that my spirit will be close to you whenever you may go. Thank you for loving me, you know I love you too, that's why it's hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now, just one more time, and let me hear you say because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

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