Gloria Jean Williams

Gloria J. Williams, 84, gained her wings and joined the ancestors on Monday, March 17, 2025, at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. Gloria (Jean) was born on April 29, 1940 in Long Branch, New Jersey to John and Mary Oliver. She was educated in the Freehold School system. Gloria was baptized at an early age and was a long-time member of Bethany Baptist Church in Farmingdale, NJ.

Gloria married Larry Williams and to that union were born two children, Diane and Larry Jr. She later divorced and began her life as a true “Renaissance Woman”, establishing her career and extending her wide array of abilities and interests. During this transformational period of her life, she was blessed with her third child Jeanette. Gloria was a devoted mother and extended this love to her siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Gloria was employed by the Monmouth County Library System, and for many years worked on the ‘Bookmobile,’ a library on wheels that disseminated literature to various communities throughout Monmouth County. She retired after 34 years of service as Library Supervisor in Manalapan to begin caring for her aging parents.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed mind-stimulating activities including Scrabble, Jeopardy, and crossword puzzles. During her brief stay in assisted living, Gloria became the ‘champion’ of the weekly word game, a member of the library club, and was known for her knowledge and ‘quick-wit’. Gloria was also a music lover who possessed an extensive collection of albums, and later, CDs. Her other hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, and baking. One of her special gifts was crocheting personalized afghans for family members. Later in life, Gloria became an initiated priest in the Yoruba Lucumi African tradition.

Gloria was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Oliver; her siblings Helen, Lillian (Patsy), and Richard; and her son, Larry Jr.

Leaving to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Diane Smith and Jeanette Williams-Millar; five grandchildren, Jennifer Cuffee (Ananta), Janelle Opoku (Eddie), Darrell Reid (Haydil), Aneka Williams, and Balabhadra; three great-grandchildren, Mehki, Srinam, and Nia; a devoted daughter-in-law, Wendy Millar; a special godmother, Bettie Davie; an uncle Silas (Mike) Terry; eight nephews and six nieces; in-laws Lucy Schenck, Stanley Qawiy, and a host of extended family and friends.