Gloria Whyte

Gloria Jean Whyte was born in Charleston, Missouri on April 17, 1943. She spent her early childhood in Charleston with her grandmother before moving to Chicago, Illinois with her mother. Gloria accepted Jesus Christ by being baptized at the age of 11.  Gloria attended St. Dominic High School. Gloria held the distinction of being the eldest among her 18 siblings. She entered into matrimony with William Earl McCune, and from their union, they were blessed with two children, Juan Earl McCune and Cynthia Franchessca McCune. Gloria later remarried the late John E. Whyte.

Gloria began her career at Bell & Howell in 1976. Shortly after, Gloria  transitioned to Nortran Bus Company driving the city bus for the Des Plaines area of Illinois. Gloria took her talents to the Educational Testing Service in 1981.  In 1991 Gloria made the decision to start a nursing program, she graduated from a  Nurse Assistant Program and began working at Evanston Hospital as a Certified Nurses Assistant. She left there and became a Postal Worker where she retired after 13 years. Gloria's strength transcended the workplace, as she also triumphed over Kidney Cancer in 2009. Gloria lived life to the fullest, how she wanted. She became a resident of Hampton, Virginia in 2009. Gloria began working at Costco as a Sales Advisor. Even in her retirement, Gloria continued to stay active working part-time at Chick-fil-a as a Chick-fil-a crew member. She was also a longtime member of Aspen Community Church.

To know our beautiful Queen Gloria Jean was an honor and a privilege. How do you describe a woman who was so kind, gentle, humble and a one of a kind masterpiece. Our Queen was a strong willed woman that some might have said was stubborn, with a radiant smile that was brighter than the sun. Gloria taught her kids to love one another and not fight because all they have is each other.  Gloria had a warm loving way of speaking to people. Her home cooked meals from scratch brought warmth to our hearts. While she enjoyed baking with her loved ones, her kitchen was her sanctuary, a place where her culinary creations were crafted with love.

Gloria was reunited with loved ones who had passed before her, including her great grandmother, Tennessee Hodges; grandmother, Jessie Mae Peterson; husband, John Whyte; mother, Virgia Wilkerson; bonus fathers, Bernie Collins Sr., Irvin Wilkerson; father, John Terry; bonus mother, Lillie M Terry; uncles: Elijah Peterson and Elvin Peterson; sisters:  Ellen Louise Kelly and Eleanor Collins; brothers: Ronnie Terry, James (Bud) Terry, and Leroy Terry; nephew, Michael Terry; niece, Stephanie Terry.

Her legacy lives on in her children, Juan McCune and Cynthia McCune, as well as her five beloved grandchildren: Jayjia (Tarmartive) Bryant, Andriana (Michael) Williams, Shamira Inniss, Elijah-Juan McCune, and Jeremiah McCune. Her great-grandchildren, Cedric Webb III, Brooklyn Webb, Emilio Naser, Nasir Collymore, and Lonzo Williams, will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

Gloria is also survived by her three brothers, Bernie (Sharleatha) Collins Jr., Charles (Asha) Terry, and Michael Collins, as well as her five sisters, Gwen Williams, Bonnie Leshoure, Sharon Collins, Reneé Collins, and Linda (Jeffrey) Marionneaux. A host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and cherished friends further celebrate her remarkable life.

In honoring the memory of Gloria Jean Whyte, we remember a woman whose strength, love, and unwavering spirit touched all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves an indelible legacy of love, family, and faith that will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

We love you Mom/Nanny but God loved you more.

He saw you were tired and called you to rest.

Love, your children and grandchildren

A prayer from Gloria:

Lord, I put everything in your hands, my family, my health, my home, my security, and my fears. You're the only one I trust with all I have and all that I am. Amen