Gloria Swanson Robinson McCann was born to the late Sam and Maude Twyner Robinson on November 30, 1927 in State Line, Mississippi. She stepped into eternity by departing this life on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Marvin McCann (1979), granddaughter, Naomi Kalilah McCann (2011), and seven siblings (in order of age); Ernest Boykin, Sammie T (Twyner), Ambrose Emile, William Henry, Charity Ditmar (CD), Charlotte, and Laurence. Gloria was the sixth of the eight children and the last of her siblings to depart this life.
Gloria married Marvin McCann on May 26, 1950 in Waynesboro, Mississippi. Shortly after their marriage, she and Marvin moved to Chicago. From their marriage two children were born, Sonja Zipporiah McCann (Zip) and Fahey Marvin McCann (Dino). Gloria spent all her married life in Chicago and suburban East Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Gloria loved life, embraced its possibilities and always saw the glass as “half full.” While growing up in the Deep South in the 30’s and 40’s, she learned to overcome the prejudice and stigma of being black which was prevalent during that time in America’s history.
Gloria came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in her early adult life. She freely and boldly shared her faith with others in words and deeds. A big part of her adult life was integrating her faith in Jesus and relationship with Him in her interactions with others, believing they would come to experience the same love and freedom she received from Him.
While in Chicago, Gloria was an active member of Chatam Fields Lutheran Church where she introduced her children to church life. After moving to East Chicago Heights in 1963, her family became active members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church which at the time was an all-white congregation. Her children were the first non-white students to attend the church's parochial school. It was Gloria’s determination to ensure that her children received a top-notch education regardless of the challenges they would face. She boldly and successfully challenged the church’s leadership to honor the tenants of the Lutheran church and accept her children as students there. Zip entered in the 7th grade and Dino the 3rd.
In her later years, Gloria was a member of Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Due to her battle with renal failure and dementia, it was difficult getting her to services the last few years of her life.
From an educational and professional perspective, Gloria received her Bachelor’s degree from Governor’s State University in University Park, Illinois. She was a leader in the early years of the Head Start program. She was also an extremely successful entrepreneur. After spending time in the Head Start program she transitioned into sales where she became one of the leading Tupperware salespeople in the Chicagoland area for several years. She later settled into her true love and passion which was interior decorating. She owned and operated a very successful drapery business called Glo Interiors (later renamed to Windows Fashion Plus).
Gloria leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Sonja Zipporiah McCann of Chesapeake, VA, one son, Fahey Marvin (Lalani Dainette) McCann of Virginia Beach, VA, three grandchildren, Zipporah Dainette McCann (Ronald Ellsworth, Jr.) of Camp Lejeune, NC, Twyner Jamal Jones of Fairfax, VA, Rebekah Faye McCann (Joseph Grant) of Cockeysville, MD, three great-grandchildren, Phinehas Levi Ellsworth, Lois Abigal Ellsworth and Thaddaeus Luke Ellsworth. In addition to her immediate family she has a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
“Well done, good and faithful servant;… Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
