Gloria Jean McWherter was born on September 3, 1942 in St. Louis, MO to Elouise Moore and Warren Vicks, who preceded her in death, along with her husband Frederick and step-brother, Otis Moore. Gloria was the oldest of ten children. Three brothers, Cecil, Edward, and Merle Hawkins; four sisters, Linda Morrow, Ellen and Mozella Hawkins, and Elouise Moore preceded her in death.

Gloria confessed her faith in Christ at an early age uniting with Pilgrim Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend M. R. Lemons, then on to Greater Faith Christian Church under the leadership of Reverend Frederick Wilson, and her final journey at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Vincent D. Collins until God called her home to be with Him.

Gloria received her education in the East St. Louis School District. Gloria worked several jobs for many years such as the Bel-Air Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri as a housekeeper, at the 40 Liquor Store, East St. Louis as a cashier, and St. Mary's Hospital, East St. Louis as a housekeeper.

Gloria met the love of her life, Frederick McWherter in 2005. They united as one on October 23, 2013 . Gloria became a foster mother to two young boys and she treated them as if they were her own children. She still kept in touch with them until the end of her journey. Gloria became Precinct Committeewoman for Precinct 19 for many years and put her heart and soul in which she loved. Gloria ran a daycare for a long time in her journey along with help. She loved the life she had and those children she took care of.

Gloria loved her family. When her mother passed away, Gloria being the oldest child, she took care of her siblings. Gloria loved family gatherings and if someone didn't make it to the event due to work, she would call and say, "That job is not that important. You can't come sometimes to the family gatherings." And she meant exactly that from her heart. Gloria was the one to make sure you had fun no matter what. She had plenty of food and drinks because she knew someone was going to take a plate home. She always said "It is more to have enough than not have enough."

Gloria loved shopping and traveling around the world with her husband. Their favorite store was Walmart. They went so many times a week they were aske to be door greeters. She was a bargain shopper and never really wanted to pay full price because to her it was too high. She stood on that word, if it was too expensive for her she would wait until it went to the lowest price no matter how long she had to wait.

Gloria's favorite holiday was Christmas. She had to have the biggest tree in the world. You would have thought you were in a department store. She had so many gifts under it for her sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. She didn't mind because she wanted to see everyone happy.

Gloria loved the life she lived with the finest of cars and she definitely drove them. She kept her hair laid to the side, those nails and toes polished, and her face made up. Gloria wore the best of clothes from the outfit to the coat, shoes, purse, along with minks, furs, leathers, and rabbit, matching from head to toe. She was a real fashionista and extreme shopper.

Gloria loved to travel wit her husband (although she started traveling before she met him): Jamaica, Bahamas, Vegas, New York, London, and Paris, France, just to name a few. Gloria loved traveling so much that she started her own traveling buses all around from city to city going to Casinos because she had plenty of friends that loved to play.

Gloria departed this life on April 6, 2024 , in the comfort of her own home surrounded by loved ones. Gloria leaves to cherish in her memories, three children, Van and Ronnie Perry of East St. Louis, IL, Carlos Chandler, Sr. of Elgin, IL; four step-children, Floria (Ronald Sr.) Densmore, Patrice (Ronald) Wilkes and Portia (Kent) Young along with Frederick McWherter, Jr; seven grandchildren, Revez Dale, Kyeshia Perry, Ronika Perry, Latia Cole, Carlos Chandler, Jr., Jajuan Chandler and Devon Chandler; two sisters, Gladys Biggs and Diana Hawkins; a host of nieces and nephews; one sister-in-law, Danita Turner; two daughter-in-laws, Constance Chandler and Yvonne Perry; dear friends, Charlotte Hyde, Minister Gail Washington, Cheryl Jones, Phyllis Robinson, Karen and Donald Danyus, Jesse Mosley, and Minister Waunee Rucker, along with her church family.