She was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 5, 1928. She was the only child and daughter of the late Earl Richmond and Ethel Shaw Buckingham. She was preceded in death by her youngest son, Bruce Buckingham Beatty and her husband, Robert Dunn Beatty.
Gloria was a gracious and devoted daughter, wife, mother and friend. Her vivacious personality and zest for life rewarded her with many life-long friendships throughout the country. She loved entertaining her friends and family with many delicious meals on holidays and special occasions. She also loved her canine friends and companions, especially her shelties, Jenny and Twinkie.
Gloria traveled extensively with her husband Bob, a former US Army Artillery Officer, and resided in many locations in the United States and Europe. She never met a stranger wherever she traveled or lived. Finally moving back to Alexandria, Virginia with Bob in 1973 for a second tour of duty and retiring in 1983, Gloria remained very active working in retail, playing bridge and mahjong, having lunch and shopping with friends, and visiting her children and their families in Maryland and NC.
For many years, she was employed by the former Village House dress shop of Alexandria, Virginia and loved traveling to New York on fun buying trips with her dear friend and owner of the store, Helen. She attended the Baptist Temple Church and was a member of the Dorcas Sunday School class.
She was past Worthy Advisor of the Providence Assembly #1 Order of the Rainbow for Girls and a past Grand Officer and Recipient of the Grand Cross of Color.
Gloria is survived by son, Robert Dunn Beatty, Jr. of Rock Hill, SC; daughter, Brenda Beatty Dunaway (Douglas) of Charlotte, NC; her four grandsons, Robert Earl Beatty, Lance Buckingham Beatty, Robert Griffin Dunaway and Richmond Rivers Dunaway; and her 3 great grandchildren, Vittoria Artemisia, Vesta Beatrice and Flavius Aetius Beatty.
A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Gloria’s life on Saturday, February 20th at 3:00 at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria.
Her burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on a future date pending notification from Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or The Pediatric Burn Care Center, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02112.
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