Gloria D. Aiken

AIKEN, Gloria D., 77, of Carbondale, IL and recently resided in Tampa, FL, passed away Monday, November 7, 2011. She was born in Carbondale, IL. Gloria loved to fish, play bingo, cooking, decorating, and crocheting. She enjoyed going to yard sales and had a “green thumb”. Most of all, Gloria enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. As her daughter I just wanted to express how it was a Blessing to have an opportunity to be with my mother in her last months of her life. She enjoyed her life in Florida during the time she was here. She fought a hard fight with pancreatic cancer but she didn't let it defeat her. She would always talk about how she missed the family and friends in Carbondale, IL. She was truly our Angel from the Lord. I could never measure up to such a woman with such strength, love, wisdom and patience. She will always be a special treasure in our hearts. She is preceded in death by her father, Arthur Brown; mother, Allean Davis; two sons, Darnell Johnson and Larone Reliford. Gloria is survived by her son, Wendell and wife, Shea Johnson of Dallas, TX; daughter, Cassandra Allen and husband, Trevino of Tampa; sister-in-law, Ernell; fifteen grandchildren, Darnella, Joel, Danna, David, Epiphany, Keisha, Tony, Seretha, Cedric, Nicholas, Devin, Marva, Keenan, Jennifer, and Austin; twenty great grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews, Sherlene, Melvin, Deborah, Taz, James, Sidney, and Hazel. A memorial service to honor her life will be scheduled in Carbondale, IL in the spring of 2012. The date and time of the service will be announced at a later date.