Gloria H. Gravitt

On February 5, 2025 in Bossier City, LA, Gloria Henderson Gravitt met her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face. What a glorious moment it must have been seeing Jesus and those who preceded her, especially the love of her life, Neal K. Gravitt. A Celebration of her life will be held on February 15, 2025 in the Chapel at Hill Crest Funeral Home, 601 US-80 Hwy, Haughton, LA with visitation at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Rev. Harrell Shelton, Associate Pastor and Terry Young, Pastor.

Gloria was born on a farm in Union Parish near Lillie, Louisiana on September 12, 1927 to Ruby Powell and Charlie Clyde Henderson. Gloria grew up very poor but also very loved. She did her share of farm chores, from picking cotton in the fall to milking cows in the morning before school. She often walked a mile with two eggs in her pockets to purchase candy, which accounts for her tremendous love of sweets.

After graduation from Spearsville High School in May, 1944, she moved with her family to Minden, LA so her dad could work at the “shell plant”. Her dad did not want her to work at the plant because it would be a “bad influence” on her, so she found a job as a waitress. A customer, the owner of the ice plant, asked her if she could type. She replied, “Yes and I take shorthand.” He replied, “I don’t want anything that I can’t read,” but she got the job. Later, she went to work for Southern Bell Telephone as a service assistant and instructor.

In 1949, Gloria married James Boyce, but he fell ill and died after only 3 months of marriage. Gloria had known Neal for several years. Upon his completion of his Navy service, Neal would drive by the house where she rented a room, honking and revving the engine. Gloria thought he was “wild” but Neal persisted. They were married on Friday October 13, 1950 in the home of a minister who was eager to get to the football game.

After many moves with Neal’s Halliburton job, they happily settled in Bossier City in 1958, where they both lived for the remainder of their lives.

Gloria was a homemaker who loved to cook, sew and work in her yard. She was a superb, dedicated, loving mother to her three children, whom she called her greatest blessings. Our Mother and Daddy instilled us to always love Jesus, be kind and work hard. A strong independent woman with a stronger faith in Jesus Christ, her life had many ups and downs as in any life but she never doubted that Jesus had it under control. She often told her family and friends “I am so blessed” even on the hard days. She could hardly believe how she had gone from poverty to riches, giving thanks to her hard working husband and the blessings of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Bossier from 1958 to 1985, then Airline Baptist Church from 1985 to present. Gloria taught a Sunday School class for five year olds from the early 1960’s until 1994. She would often tell her daughter or granddaughters “I had him/her as a five year old,” then laugh since now they were grown. She was a member of Bossier City Mother’s Club #1 and served in several positions, including President.

Gloria and Neal loved to travel. Gloria often traveled with Neal on his business trips and stayed in the hotel while he conducted business. They traveled all over the USA, and to Europe where they toured Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England and many more countries. While in London, Queen Elizabeth in her carriage passed by and waved “directly to us” according to Gloria. They took multiple cruises in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and to Alaska. From 1965-1994, they enjoyed going to Branson, Missouri several times a year. After Neal’s passing, Gloria continued to travel to Branson and in 2000, she took the trip of a lifetime when she went to Israel.

Gloria, known as the Lady in the yard, loved working outside. Whether it was pulling weeds, tending to her roses and other flowers, or picking tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or okra, she stayed busy. She pruned her shrubs, but never mowed the yard.

In her later years, Gloria loved to watch the many birds who enjoyed the food she left for them in feeders on her patio. Cardinals and hummingbirds were among her favorites.

Gloria was preceded in death by the “love of her life,” her husband of 44 years, Neal K. Gravitt, her son Brian Jeffrey Gravitt, her parents Ruby Powell and Charlie Clyde Henderson, her brother Charlie Joseph Henderson, her sister Brenda Joyce Henderson Pickett and her favorite grandmother Carrie Hollis Henderson Pipes.

She’s survived by her children, daughter Cathy Gravitt Scott of Haughton, LA, her son Barry Neal Gravitt (Lanette) of Hallsville, TX, her grandchildren Jennifer Dawn Scott Chancy (Sean) of Johns Creek, GA, Amy Diane Scott Martinell of Baton Rouge, LA, Lindsey Nicole Gravitt of Hallsville, Tx, and Ryan Christopher Gravitt of Hallsville, TX and her great grandchildren Kennedy Paige Gravitt, Kellen Mae Chancy, Tatum Neal Chancy and Raegan Neala Martinell, nephew Charlie Wesley Henderson (Patricia) of Caster, LA and first cousins Tommy Powell (Charlotte) of Junction City, AR, and Nancy Powell Birge of Flint, TX.

Our family would like to thank the many friends who brought goodies to fulfill her “sweetaholic” cravings, called, sent cards and visited. Also a special thank you to the members of the Caring Touch Ministry of ABC. We would also like to thank the staff at Cypress Point Nursing Home and Life Path Hospice for the love, care and understanding given to our mom.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Airline Baptist Church Building Fund, 4007 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA.