Gloria Gordon, born April 13, 1930, went home to be with the Lord on June 8, 2023. Born the first of three children to Leola and Isaac Gordon, Gloria and her brother, Isaac Samuel Gordon, and sister, Myrtle Boykin, grew up on the south side of Akron on Bellows Street. In school, Gloria excelled in math and business courses; however, due to racial injustice during that time, she was discouraged from pursuing those interests. Never one to be discouraged, Gloria graduated high school and enrolled at The University of Akron. Soon after, Gloria began working at Akron Children’s Hospital as an aide, where she eventually worked her way up to being the first Black woman to head a department at Children’s. She was named head of the Admitting Department where she implemented multiple innovative ideas until her retirement. Her knowledge and expertise were well-known in the hospital industry, and she received numerous requests to serve as a consultant after retiring. However, Gloria was happiest spending time with her family and helping them flourish and that’s how she spent the rest of her days.

Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Isaac Gordon, her mother, Leola Averiette, her sister, Myrtle Boykin, and niece, Debra D. Harrison. Gloria is survived by her only child, Rudolph Robinson Jr.; her three grandchildren, Rudolph Robinson III, Sarah Ann Robinson, and David Robinson; her great-grandchildren, David Benjamin Robinson, Zac Robinson, and Bennett Robinson; her brother, Rev. Isaac S. Gordon; as well as nieces, nephews, and a host of other loved ones.