Mrs. Gloria Ann Oliver, 77, of Mount Vernon, IL, was born on April 10, 1948, in Durham, NC, to John Thomas Roberts and Vivian (Roberts) Parker Bridges. She passed away at home on December 4, 2025. She was preceded in death by her loving parents; her caring stepfather, Thurman Bridges, and her beloved husband of 51 years, Dr. Prince B. Oliver, Jr.
Gloria and Prince married on March 4, 1973, in Durham, NC, and they made their home in Mount Vernon that same year.
In 1977, the year that their cherished daughters, Amy Elizabeth and Andrea Melissa were born, Gloria and Prince not only celebrated their births but another milestone achievement. It was in that same year that Gloria earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She began her career in education as a parent liaison within the Head Start Program at District 80.
Throughout the years, Gloria was a fixture in the classrooms of the Dr. Andy Hall and J.L. Buford schools. She was a favorite and much-loved teacher among her young students. In 1987, Gloria began her career in higher education in the counseling department at Rend Lake College. She worked closely with the students and made life-long friends during her time there. She retired in 2011 after almost 25 years of committed service.
Gloria was an active member of her community throughout her life, always focused on volunteer work that helped children and youth. She participated as a member of the Mount Vernon Board of Children and Family Services; she was a diligent member of the PTA at St. Mary’s School, and she volunteered as a Girl Scout Troop leader in the Brownie division.
Gloria was a loving, genuine, caring and patient wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was generous and wise, and her gentle voice and demeanor were never to be mistaken for her strong and joyful spirit. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Newell Funeral Home at 601 North 42nd Street, in Mount Vernon, IL, from 1-3pm. The memorial service will follow from 3-4pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gloria’s honor to The National Head Start Association and will be accepted at the funeral home. For those who wish, the memorial service will be available to watch live via Zoom.
Gloria is survived by her daughters, Amy Oliver Gilyard of Bayonne, NJ and Andrea Melissa Johnson (Kevin) of Virginia Beach, VA; five grandchildren: Layla, Kyndall, Simone, Sydney and Jackson; three sisters: Daria Patricia Peace (Clement) of Durham, NC; Tracy Roberts of Louisville, KY, and Angela Roberts of Greensboro, NC; faithful neighbors who became family, Marshana and Steve Fleming, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
