Visitation will be held at Elliott Hamil Funeral Home 5701 Highway 277 South Abilene, Texas from 5pm-6pm. Home Going Services will be held at 11am at Elliott Hamil Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Dr. Kelvin Kelly and Min. Renea Ervine officiating.
Gloria Faye was born in Cameron, Texas on December 20, 1948. She was the sixth of ten children born to her beloved parents, the late Wallace and Elma (Porter) Rayford. The family moved from Cameron in 1954 and settled in the South Side Carver Edition Community. Gloria Faye’s family was well-known for its close-knit relationships, especially the special bond between the brothers and sisters. Her parents planted the seeds of faith at an early age when she, along with her entire family, joined the Old St. Paul IME Church in the Pasadena Heights Community. Gloria would later join Bethel AME under the leadership of Reverend Boyd. While a member of Bethel AME, she co-founded the Daughters of Allen Community Outreach Program alongside Reverend Boyd and her sister, Willie Beatrice Davis. The Daughters of Allen as an organization was involved in community outreach and utilized its resources to educate the Carver Edition on various health topics.
Gloria Faye graduated from Dr. Carter G Woodson High School in May 1967 before moving to Los Angeles, California where she joined Job Core to learn to become a Certified Medication Aide. During this time, she grew to love caring for patients and decided to attend nursing school. After becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 1970, Gloria Faye then discovered her love of working with the geriatric population. She worked for several various long term care facilities in Abilene before retiring from nursing in 2006.
Gloria Faye married her high school sweetheart, A. C. Jackson, whom she grew up with as a young girl, on May 30, 1969, in Las Vegas Nevada. The two lived in Los Angeles, California for a few years before deciding to move back to Abilene, Texas in 1970.
Gloria Faye was involved in several community outreach activities alongside her husband, A.C. Jackson. She was the co-founder of the Junior Buffalo Soldier Reading Club at the Abilene Public Library and the Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail.
Gloria Faye enjoyed spending time with all her siblings, her daughter, and her grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, caring mother, and affectionate Mimi to her grandsons.
Gloria Faye was preceded in death by her beloved parents; Wallace and Elma Rayford, her brothers Wallace, Jr, George (Owen), Larry Rayford and her sister Willie Beatrice Davis (Elmo), brothers-in-law Curtis Lee and Earl Williams.
Gloria Faye is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years A.C. Jackson and her daughter Tracey Cunningham (Joe, JR) of Abilene, Texas. Her grandchildren are Dimitrius Bradford, Xavier McKinnies, and Devon Cunningham, while her siblings are Wynell Williams, Jimmy Rayford, Marcelle Robinzine, Vernon Lee, and Teresa McGee (Harold). She also left to cherish a host of nieces and nephews.
The Jackson Family is grateful for all the expressions of love by her family members and friends.
The Jackson Family gratefully acknowledges her medical providers: Fresenius, Visiting Angels, City Link, Continue Care Hospital, Kindred Home Health Services, Dr. Brian Ganesh, Dr. Anwar, Dr. Zhang, Dr. Agosto, and Dr. Stojanovick.
Be Strong and Courageous- “Do Not be afraid or discouraged, For the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elliott-hamil.com for the Jackson family.
