Gloria D. Jefferry's Obituary
Gloria D. Jeffery was born April 12, 1949 to Reverend Earl. E. and Eva S. Jeffery, in Oakland, California. She was the 2nd of 7 children.
In 1966, Gloria was baptized in the Church of the Living God, Pillar Ground of the Truth. She became a member of Palma Ceia Baptist Church of Hayward, California where she sang in several choirs, and participated in various auxiliaries. She later became a member of Word Assembly Church of Oakland, California.
Gloria completed her grade school education in Oakland, where she was a member of the orchestra playing first chair violinist, traffic guard, and “placed” in many Oakland Unified District Spelling Bees. She continued to excel in Math, English and Language Arts. Gloria participated in numerous organizations while attending Castlemont High School, the Pepsters; (G.A.A); Choir; Senior Dinner Decoration Committee; Senior Picnic Committee, and the Senior Skating Committee, which were a precursor to her distinguished Civil, Community Leader and Activist work.
Gloria graduated from Castlemont High School in 1967, attending Cal State Hayward, University, in the Fall of that year, majoring in Business Accounting. There she met Carlton Rhodes. In 1969, they were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter, Kimberly Rhodes.
Later, Gloria met Oliver Delamar (Peter) and formed a loving relationship that became the epitome of how to build and maintain friendship and love for over 37 years.
Gloria began her employment with the Oakland Parks and Recreation Center. She moved on to several accounting jobs at private companies throughout the Bay area, including several major bank corporations. In 1974, Gloria joined Cutter Laboratories, which later became Bayer Corporation; a division of Bayer HealthCare, Inc. Gloria’s career with Bayer spanned over 36 years until she retired, in June 2010.
An activist and community organizer for over 30 years, Gloria served as President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Las Palmas Community, President and Secretary of the MacArthur Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council, and worked with the Oakland Police Department, in planning strategies for the community. Gloria Co-Founded the Central East Project Area Committee (PAC), and spearheaded the revitalization of the Foothill Square Shopping Complex.
Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Earl E. and Mrs. Eva S. Jeffery,
her sisters, Marian Jeffery-Gammage and Delores Hollingsworth, and brother,
Kenneth Jeffery.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Spouse, Oliver Delamar; Daughter, Kimberly Rhodes-Slaton (Michael), Brother, Thomas E. Jeffery, Sisters: Bobbie Jeffery,
Eva Elizabeth Jeffery, Theresa Jeffery-Clark (Johnnie), Jessie Jeffery; Grand Children, Kanden and Mariah Slaton; Nieces: Stacey Saadiq (Mohamed), Briana Jeffery, Kia Clark and Sahai Carpenter, Nephews: Donald Jeffery and Tyrone Clark (Gail), Oliver’s children, Kenneth Wilson, Kathy Washington (Rick), Regina Delamar, Sam Delamar (Camille) and Nicholas Delamar. Grand Children: Reca and Kendrick Washington, Adrianna, Kendall, Kolby DeLamar, Tristan and Deon Washington. Loving friends and dedicated care takers: Jeanette Mebane, Edna Sloan, and Vernita Dumas, and countless close family members and friends.
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