Mrs. Gloria E McLawrence

Gloria Elaine McLawrence had many names that were attributed to her over the years. Mama to her kids, grandkids and great grands. But that's not all, to her closest and dearest she was known as Miss G, Mama G, Miss Gloria or Glo. Mama was 88yrs old, smart, witty, a true believer and child of GOD. What I truly loved and was most proud of about her was her determination and strong will. She fought the good fight. "Never give up child, never give up," was one of her favorite and daily quotes. Mama went home to glory on Sunday March 22nd in the town of Plantation, Florida.

Gloria, Mama was born on September 28th, 1937 in Hanover, Jamaica to parents Stella Maude Asphalt and Alphonso McLawrence. As a toddler she lived in St. Catherine with her aunt Sara, who she lovingly called mama and spoke about on an almost daily basis with such love and reverence. She lived with her Aunt Sara until her passing. Mama then went on to attend Linstead All Age. Mama started having children at 27, a total of 7 (Annetta/Dawn, Margaret/Angela, Albert, Rohan who passed on before her, Michelle/Carol, Andrew/Dan, Nicole/Lisa. Mama also had 23 grandkids and many great-grands including a new addition to the family that was recently born to her granddaughter Shandel. Mama loved and cherished the relationships that she had with her grands and greatgrands. The conversations she would have with them almost daily brought her so much joy. She married Leonard Samuels in Jamaica, W.I.

Mama worked at Golden Dragon in 1969 where she made lifelong friends such as Lucille Chung. But that's just one of many great lifelong friends that mama had that followed her from Jamaica Ciceline Taylor, Pat you guys were forever near and dear to her heart. Mama migrated to the United States in 1981. She cared for and took care of young children for a year or so before moving to New York. If I'm not mistaken it is from one of these very same children that she got the name Dana for one of her grandsons.

That's a story that she never got tired of retelling. Mama managed a grocery store in Queens NY where she again made lifelong friendships with the Delapena family (Bully, Howard, Diane Delapena were like family to her). She also worked for PanAm airlines for 2 years, which was exciting for Mama because she got the chance to meet lots of famous people. Mama migrated to Florida around 1988 where she resided until her passing. I don't know if this is a well known fact but mama was a licensed cosmopologist who knew a lot about the treatment and care of hair but not necessarily how to do hair, that part didn't really interest her. Mama continued working as a CNA until her retirement in 2002. Mama thrived in Florida. She had so many great friends who were like family to her. Pier and David you were as close to her as any of her grandkids. Sister Brenda, Sister Mildred, Gladys, Peter, Richard (her prayer warrior), Brother Clem, Ann, Shandrinee, Sharon, Bea, Monica, Millicent you guys were all so priceless and valuable to her.

Sister Verbue, Sister Georgina your prayers uplifted her soul and gave her so much hope. These are just a few names to name a few of the great people that surrounded mama. Her barber was such a kind soul to her. They had such a great relationship he would come to her home to cut her hair when she could no longer go to the barbershop, that mattered so much to mama. Another great thing about mama was that she was extremely kind, almost to a fault. She would give her last.

Mama was a member at Christian Life Fellowship for 10 years until she could no longer attend but she would watch on YouTube every Sunday. She loved God, and was a woman of faith. I saw mama pray countless times and saw God answer countless times. Her faith and relationship with God was so inspirational and encouraging to me.

Mama was so friendly and never met strangers. She was an amazing cook, a fabulous dresser and kind to a fault. Mama took great pride in being a good mother and did the best until her last breath to take care of/provide for her children.

Gloria Elaine McLawrence is preceded in death by son, Rohan Philip Chin, grandsons, Jamaal Chin, Domaine Chin, Mother Stella Asphalt, her brothers Winston and Reny, Leaford A Chin, Leonard Samuels.

Gloria is survived by her children Dawn, Angela, Albert, Carol, Dan, Lisa. Twenty-three grandkids and numerous great-grands.

Viewing will be at 10am to 11am on Monday, April 13th, 2026 at Fred Hunters Funeral Home 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida.

Funeral services will be held at 11am to 1pm on Monday, April 13th, 2026 at Fred Hunters Funeral Home with the Pastor Alex of Christian Life Center, officiating.

INTERMENT

Fred Hunters Hollywood Memorial Gardens

3001 North 72nd Avenue Hollywood, Florida.

Arrangements are by Fred Hunters Funeral Home.

The family of Gloria McLawrence wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr.Vic, Maria, her social worker from Vitas (she adored you), Shirelle her social worker from Humana (you went above and beyond, Chaplain Kevin (you were like a grandson to her, and her nurse that visited once it not sometimes twice a week. She loved you guys! You listened, you cared, you went above and beyond.