Gloria was born on April 1, 1932, in Waverly Terrace, Columbus, Georgia. She was the daughter of Guy Slaughter, a postal worker, and Ada Slaughter, a housekeeper, who instilled her the values of hard work and compassion. A graduate of Jordan High School in Columbus, Georgia, Gloria married her high school sweetheart, Tommy, in the early 1950s, and their love story blossomed with the arrival of their first child, Lynda, the following year.
Gloria dedicated her life to her family and her love for cats. She took great joy in caring for fifty to seventy-five feline friends at any given time. She loved spending her days riding around town to feed her beloved cat colonies. Gloria’s passion extended beyond her love for animals; she was an enthusiastic line dancer, reveling in various musical genres that allowed her to enjoy countless evenings with friends on the dance floor. She was also a devoted Atlanta Falcons Football fan. She cheered for her team through every win and loss, always with unwavering support.
Gloria was the last of her siblings, having survived her brothers, Joe and William Slaughter, and her sister, Ada Lucille. She was the loving mother of Lynda and mother-in-law of John Krysak. She was a proud grandmother to Maggi Ann Krysak and Ballard Kane Krysak. Gloria’s family was her pride and joy and her hometown of Columbus remained her favorite place in the world.
Gloria’s zest for life and her unwavering care for her feline companions earned her the affectionate title of “The Cat Lady”, a nickname that reflected her superpower of nurturing and her boundless love for cats. She will be remembered for her warm heart, spirited personality, and the countless lives she touched throughout her journey.
A Visitation for Family and Friends for Gloria will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Striffler Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A Celebration of Life Graveside Service will be held following the visitation at 2:00 PM at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the many friends in Gloria’s life including Kathy, Jan, Dianne, and Bobbi, who came to visit with her at Thrive. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Paws Humane Society at https://pawshumane.org in honor of Gloria.
