Gloria Boyd Stevens

Gloria Boyd Stevens, age 84, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Born on August 9, 1942 in Loris, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Reese Rodman Boyd, Sr. and Lalla Holt Boyd.

Gloria was raised on her family’s tobacco farm in Loris. While in high school, she readily volunteered to share her script for the school play with a cute boy named Brooklyn. He soon became her leading man, beginning a love story that lasted a lifetime.

Gloria attended Limestone College, where she served as yearbook editor, acted in numerous plays, and graduated with a degree in Education. After Brooklyn (later known as Keith) graduated from N.C. State University, the two were married in June 1964.

Gloria taught sixth grade for a little over a year. Once her pregnancy began to show, school rules of the day no longer allowed her to teach. She then lovingly devoted herself to being a homemaker and raising her son, Keith, and daughter, Renee. Gloria’s loving and sacrificial spirit was especially evident when she cared for her paralyzed mother in their home for several years.

For decades, Gloria was a faithful member of the Cary First Baptist Church family, where she taught in Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools, chaperoned youth trips, and was known as a prayer warrior to many. She was famous for giving high fives to all the youth, much to her own children’s embarrassment. Gloria never met a stranger, and she greeted nearly everyone with a hug. Throughout Keith and Renee’s formative teenage years, she made the Stevens family home the go-to gathering place for their friends. The house was constantly filled with friends, family, and neighbors, and Gloria was always right in the middle of the fun.

Due to her petite stature, Gloria had a “little” difficulty driving around town. Her eyes were barely visible over the steering wheel of her big green station wagon, affectionately known as “the Tank.” Over the years she collected quite a few stories involving tow trucks and several scary accidents, and more than once, she talked her way out of a ticket. The family favorite took place at the Wendy’s drive-thru, where Gloria sideswiped a large decorative boulder. When she got home, she calmly told her husband that “a little rock had hit the car.”

Gloria and Keith shared many adventures during nearly 60 years of marriage. Keith’s IBM career brought two international assignments, to Paris, France, and Malahide, Ireland, where they traveled throughout Europe and welcomed a steady stream of visiting family and friends. Back home, Gloria enjoyed camping trips with extended family and friends, especially to Gatlinburg in the fall.

In her later years, Gloria faced numerous health challenges, including two brain surgeries, vision loss, and dementia. She never let these hurdles quench her spirit, keeping her family laughing with her quick wit and feistiness. Gloria could still quote her favorite Bible verses and loved singing hymns.

Above all, Gloria, affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Nana”, loved her family and treasured every moment spent together. She especially cherished Christmas Eve, when tradition held that each grandchild received an overflowing sack of personalized gifts. Year after year, the grandkids fondly requested Nana’s famous rendition of her skit, “Little Bug, Little Bug.”

Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Keith Brooklyn Stevens, Sr.; her parents, Reese Boyd, Sr. and Lalla Boyd; her parents-in-law, Burvie and Cora Stevens; her brother, Reese Boyd, Jr.; and her sisters-in-law, Wendy and Linda Boyd.

She is survived by her children, Keith Stevens, Jr. (Sara) and Renee Stephens (Todd); grandchildren, Shane Stevens (Morgan), Chase Stevens (Megan), Blake Stevens, Jenna Stephens, Savannah Stevens, and Justin Stephens; great-grandchildren, Wesley, Micah, and Matthew Stevens, with one more expected next month; her brother, John Boyd (Sara); brothers-in-law, Bryan Stevens (Gail) and Bruce Stevens (Donna); and many nieces and nephews, Reese Boyd III (Lee), Kim Stevens Hayes (David), Ben Boyd (Dennis), Marcy Stevens McLain (Rob), Laura Boyd Nobles (DeWayne), Teresa Boyd Cyganiewicz (the late James), and Todd Stevens (Karly).

Special appreciation to the staff of Spring Arbor Memory Care Cottages, Transitions LifeCare Hospice, and to our dear friends at Cary First Baptist Church.

Family and friends are invited to honor Gloria on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM for a funeral service at First Baptist Church in Cary, NC. The family will receive guests immediately following the service. Gloria will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Keith, during a graveside service at Twin City Memorial Gardens in Loris, SC, on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow the graveside service at Dogwood Hill Baptist Church in Loris, SC

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gloria’s honor to the Gideons International or Cary First Baptist Church.