Gloria Law

Gloria Sue (Samuel) Law, 86, of Bixby, OK, formerly Fort Smith, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, OK. Born on January 16, 1940 to W.R. “Bill” and Blanche Marie (Allred) Samuel in Fort Smith.

She married Rev. Harold Dean Law of Fort Smith on February 6, 1959 at First Baptist Church in Fort Smith, her home church, and the church she loved and would eventually come back to after serving the Lord in other congregations through ministry with her husband.

Harold was a beloved pastor of churches in Oklahoma and Arkansas during his life, and Gloria truly lived out her calling as a Pastor’s Wife. She loved people and connected to them readily, ministering to their needs and creating friendships that have spanned decades. She was a dedicated prayer warrior and felt very blessed to be able to pray with and for anyone and everyone she came in contact with. She had a heart for missions, and was privileged to serve on Mission Trips with teams to Mexico, East Asia, Alaska, Montana, and other locations near and far. As she got older and transitioned into Assisted Living, she considered each new residence her mission field, and was so excited to make new friends, be a part of and help lead Bible Studies, and love every person that she came in contact with. Gloria had a lifelong passion for studying the Bible and over the years was blessed to be able to serve as a Bible Study teacher, Women’s Missions Director, and to write programs that were used in the Arkansas Baptist Convention for the Women’s Missionary Union. She loved serving each week as teacher of the Seekers Sunday School Class at First Baptist, Fort Smith, and cherished each lady in her class. They were truly Sisters in the Lord, and they blessed and enriched her life greatly.

One of Gloria’s greatest joys was her family. She loved any excuse for a party and was always excited to be surrounded by her daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, with good food and lots of love front and center!

She was an amateur painter who loved to dabble in oil and acrylics, and painted many pictures that will be treasured. She also loved the hunt for a good bargain, and loved finding beautiful treasures to display in her house or something fashionable to wear. She was always ready for a shopping excursion, especially when she could comb through a great antique or thrift store! A good shopping excursion always required a meal out, and she relished trying new restaurants and foods wherever she went. Football and basketball seasons always found her cheering for her Razorbacks, OSU Cowboys, and Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, proudly wearing their colors and mascots! Attending basketball games at UAFS was another favorite pastime, and you could always find her cheering wildly in the stands!

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harold Law, her parents, Bill and Blanche Samuel, sisters and their spouses Norma Jean and 1LT James Brun Johnson, and Willa Dean and Bobby Joe Grimes, Brother-in-Law Rev. Roy Gean Law, and precious Great Granddaughter Amelia Jean Ashwood.

She is survived by her daughter and spouse, Becky and Chris Ashwood, of Kiefer, OK, Grandchildren and spouses Lee Michael and Stacey Barber of Jenks, OK, Kerrie and Gary Sanders of Greenwood, Audra Ashwood of Sapulpa, OK, and Chris Allen Jr. and Kelsey Ashwood of Jenks, OK. She is also survived by Great Grandchildren Reese, Adi, Michael, Rhett, Ciera, Montana, Lila, Reagan, Aiden, Aspyn, Ava, and Atticus, whom she adored and told everyone that they were the greatest gifts she had ever received. Gloria is also survived by a host of other family members, including nephews, nieces, and their families, as well as those who became honorary members of her family through choice.

The family wishes to extend their special thanks to the exceptional staff and families at Sand Plum Assisted Living in Bixby, OK, Beehive Homes in Glenpool, OK, and Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living in Tulsa, OK. These people loved and cared for her, and kept her days full of fun, friendship, and love. Her nurses and caregivers from Complete OK Hospice went above and beyond the call of duty. They loved her like their own and enabled her to be active long after her cancer accelerated. They have truly become members of the family. Her last three days were spent at Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, OK, a Hospice Home full of love, peace, and compassion. Their devoted staff and volunteers displayed Christ’s love towards Gloria and her family in a beautiful setting, walking with them through her tough final days and keeping vigil beside them.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gloria’s life on Saturday, August 1st, at 10:00 at Edwards Funeral Chapel, located at 201 N. 12th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901, with Pastor Eric Ramsey

officiating. Gloria loved the color red! If you are attending and would like to honor her, you are welcome to wear red with the family in her remembrance.