Gloria Jean Hairston

`Gloria Jean Carter was born on April 14, 1953 to Charles Henry Carter and Gloria Elaine Stewart Carter in Baltimore, MD. She attended elementary and middle schools in the Baltimore City Public School System prior to graduating with honors from Seton High School in Baltimore in 1971. Following her mother's footsteps, Gloria aspired to become a teacher. Gloria furthered her education with an earned Bachelor of Science degree from Coppin State College in 1975, an earned Master of Education degree from Towson State University in Baltimore in 1980, an earned Continuing Education certificate in Administration and Supervision from Towson State University in 1984, with further education in Administration and Supervision from University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. Her career in the Baltimore City Public Schools System spans from elementary classroom teacher to being promoted to Master Teacher, then to Assistant Principal and later to Principal beginning at Fr. Lillie M. Jackson Alternative Elementary School. She retired as Principal of Mary E. Rodman Elementary School in 2006. After retirement, Gloria worked briefly as Principal of Saint Johns Lutheran School I n Brooklyn Park, MD and later as an Education Coordinator for Baltimore City Head Start Program. Gloria has been the recipient of numerous academic certificates and honors including member of Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity-Johns Hopkins Chapter, American Federation of School Administrators, Who's Who in American Education Inductee, Certificate of Advanced Proficiency Nation Association of Elementary School Principals and Governor's Citation in Recognition of Impressive Dedication to Instructional Leadership in Maryland Schools. Gloria married the late MIchael Belvin Hairston on September 16, 1976. From their union was born a son, Alan Michael on June14, 1990. Gloria speaks of Alan as a marvelous blessing from the Lord whom she loves endlessly and is proud of call son. Michael passed away on March 19, 2008 following a brief illness. Baptized at the age of 12 under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Edgar L. Reid, Gloria became a member of the Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD. Gloria has been actively involved over t he years in various work of ministry at Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church as President of the Junior Usher Board, Youth Choir, member of the Courtesy Guild, Primary and Intermediate Church School Teacher, Assistant Superintendent of Church School, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Leader Baptist Training Union Youth Department, Women's Day Co-Chairperson and Chairperson, planning in various Church Anniversaries and Pastoral Anniversaries and Celebrations, planning committee member for Church-wide Institute, Director of Council of Ministries, participant at Leadership Retreat, Dean of GTBC Bible Institute. Gloria has been honored for her numerous works of ministry at GTBC. In earlier years, Gloria was an active participant in the Baptist Congress of Christian Education. She served as a Board member, Recording Secretary, Delegate to National Baptist Congress of Christian Education Conventions, Annual Session attendee, and assisted in planning for the Annual Youth Banquets and the Annual Youth Retreats. In 1997, Gloria was awarded the Distinguished Service in Christian Education certificate from Maryland State Congress of Christian Education. Encouraged by her esteemed Pastor, Bishop Reginald l. Kennedy who instilled that your work should extend beyond the walls of GTBC, and that if you can be as blessing or help to another church...do it. Thus at the invitation of Rev. Henry J. Turner, the distinguished Pastor of the First Corinthians Baptist Church, Gloria accepted the responsibility of creating the weekly Sunday Church Bulletin. Having a passion for the work of ministry, Gloria desired to continue to express Godly kindness, Beginning with Pastor Turner's acceptance, she created certificates for ordinations, baby dedications, new members, and baptism; created programs for ministry events and special occasions; created a emergency contact tree; designed the church calendar; decorated the bulletin board and dining hall and typing/sending correspondence letters and announcements as deemed by Pastor Turner. The Pastor and church family have expressed their appreciation of Gloria's stewardship t FCBC through the gifting of beautiful floral arrangements at Christmas and her birthday. Gloria's favorite passage of scripture is Ephesians 3:20...Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above al that we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. Whenever gratitude is expressed for her participation to the work of ministry, Gloria's immediate response in "not me... God gets glory."

Tributes

Gloria Jean Hairston

April 14, 1953 - October 22, 2020