GLORIA ANN MCLAUGHLIN

Gloria Ann "Sugar" McLaughlin departed this earthly life on Sunday, June 3, 2018, in Sumter.
She was born on Oct. 31, 1952, in Sumter County. She was the only daughter of the late Walter "Buster" Johnson and Martha McLaughlin Johnson. Gloria was a faithful servant for the Lord. She began her walk of faith at a young age when she joined Mt. Olive AME Church in Woodrow. She later joined First Baptist Missionary Church in Sumter, where she remained dedicated and worked faithfully. At First Baptist Church, Gloria was President of the women's missionary organization and was an active member of the outreach ministry. She taught adult Sunday school classes and traveled with the church choir to many programs. Gloria led the new members classes and was a part of the hospitality team. She was the financial secretary of the Wateree Baptist Association L.D. Women's Auxiliary and was on the steering committee of the B.G. Sanders Fellowship Day.
Gloria was an honor graduate of Sumter High School. She then matriculated from Voorhees College, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in history. She received a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and later obtained her licensed independent social worker-clinical practice credential. Gloria had an extensive work history beginning as a substitute teacher before moving to a career in the field of social work. After retiring from the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Gloria was employed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. To further her career, Gloria spent five years working at the William J. Bryan Dorn Veteran Hospital, where she was employed as a clinical social worker. Throughout her career, Gloria was a committed and exceptional worker. Gloria always made her career a priority in her life. Always giving more than 100 percent in everything she did even if it meant working long hours and commuting from one city to another after a long day of work. Gloria was also an avid reader and a person who enjoyed politics as well as participating in political campaigning. She was an active member of the Sumter Branch NAACP.
Gloria's generosity extended beyond the workplace to her family and friends. She was diligent in caring for her grandmother and mother until they left to be with the Lord. After her mother's death, she became the matriarch of the family and took her role very seriously. She kept a close and watchful eye over everyone that encountered her but taking special care to ensure her baby brother, her nieces and grandnieces were okay. In doing so, she did not hesitate to redirect when necessary. She was giving but stern and didn't mind showing tough love when needed. She always stressed the importance of family and taking care of one another. We always loved coming together on Sundays and holidays at her house for those big family dinners.
Gloria leaves to cherish precious memories: two brothers, Walter Johnson and Larry Holman of Sumter; two nieces, Casandra Hales and Yakina Pringle-Porcher; three aunts, Mary McLaughin, Ora Lee Johnson and Hannah Mae Johnson; six grandnieces, Jazzmine McLaughlin-Hales, Justice Hales, Yazzmin Porcher, Jordan Pringle, Jayda Williams and Jaylin Williams; a grandnephew, Ki'Andre Porcher; two great-grandnephews, Kayden Hales, whom Gloria raised until she could no longer care for him, and Willie Green; a great-grandniece, Ly'Ric Pringle; and three sister-friends Mary "Ann" Burton, Josephine Jupiter and Carol Singletary; and a host of cousins and friends.
The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 52 Carrol Drive, Sumter.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., Sumter, with the Rev. George P. Windley Jr., pastor, eulogist.
The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The funeral procession will leave at 10:20 a.m. from the home.
Burial will be at Colclough Cemetery, Dubose Siding Road, Sumter.
These services have been entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.
Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.