Gloria Elizabeth Williford

Gloria Elizabeth Williford (née Lamanna), 81, of Knoxville TN, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2018 after intermittent battles with various cancers for over two decades. Born on March 18, 1937, in Vineland, NJ, she was the youngest of five children born to the late Giovanni (John) and Josephine Lamanna (née Pascarelli). Gloria received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1959 from Washington Adventist University (formerly Columbia Union College) in Tacoma Park, MD, and subsequently worked for Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at Walter Reed, she met her future husband and soul mate, Bill, in 1963. The couple was married in 1966. She transferred to the Army defense supply depot in Memphis, TN to support her husband’s dream of becoming a physician. A devoted wife and mother, she left the civil service in 1970 when her first son, Sean, was born. Soon after the birth of her second son, Jason, the family relocated to Bristol, TN. Gloria and family then moved briefly to Texas and then to Knoxville, TN in 1978, which was her home for the rest of her life. Gloria was thoughtful and kind and believed in helping others through community service. While raising her children, she was a member of the Akima Club, a women’s organization devoted to improving the lives of others, from 1986-1996. Gloria served as president of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance from 1992-1993. She was also a member of the crew that produced the show “Healthline,” a health information program on community television, directing it for many years. Gloria was a member and supporter of the Concord United Methodist Church for 40 years, volunteering in their library. She travelled extensively to many exotic locations, and was a great lover of literature, especially mysteries. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Anthony and Daniel Lamanna, and Rose Buch. Gloria is survived by her husband of 52 years, William; and her two sons, Sean (Klahr), of Brooklyn, NY and Jason (Cynthia), of Laramie WY; two grandchildren Jaedon and Cadence; sister, Esther Nunez (Edmund) of Glendale, CA; and sister in-law Rosalie Lamanna. Gloria was a loyal and thoughtful friend, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and an inspiration to the people in her life. She will be greatly missed. A receiving of friends will be held Tuesday, September 11th from 5-7pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike. A Graveside Service will be Friday, September 14th at 10am at Pleasant Forest Cemetery. The family welcomes all that knew Gloria to join them in remembrance of her.

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Gloria Elizabeth Williford

March 18, 1937 - September 5, 2018