Gloria Bertholf-Dorsey

Gloria accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Anniston, Alabama. Later, she became a member of Walker Chapel AME Church of Oceanside, California where she served faithfully until the Lord called her home.

Gloria graduated from Cobb Avenue High School, in Anniston, Alabama, class of 1966. After graduation, she attended college and worked in retail for a while before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1973. During her military career, her performance and dedication earned her the rank of Master Sergeant. In 1979, she was one of the first Black female Marines to be assigned to 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan. She was a highly professional and dedicated Marine for 26 years.

Her decorations consist of National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, numerous Meritorious Masts and Letters of Appreciation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Letter of Commendation, Certificate of Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Letter of Recognition, Certificate of Achievement, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Commendation Medal, Pistol Marksman Badge, and Rifle Expert Badge.

Gloria departed from this earth, but not from the hearts of her family. She leaves a loving, caring, devoted husband of 31 years, Robert Dorsey, beloved mother Mattie Westbrook, a loving daughter Sonya Bertholf-Blade and caring son-in-law Cliff Blade, two step-daughters Michelle Pryor (Darren) and Monica Bridgeforth (Russell), seven grandchildren, Kionna, Briahna and Christopher of Hawaii and Marissa, Morgan, Melanie, and Maria of Virginia, one sister-in-law Suzanne Dorsey of Ohio, two brother-in-laws Roddy Dorsey of Florida and William Dorsey of Ohio, two nephews Walter DeRamus of Texas and Stanley DeRamus of Alabama, along with numerous relatives and friends. Gloria was preceded in death by her father John Wallace Bickerstaff and sister Mary Jewell Elston.