Ms. Gloria Patrica Wilson Savage

She was a woman of great faith. She believed in the power of prayer and God’s word. An elementary school educator and mother of five children, she had a heart filled with love and patience for young people. She was strong. Strong-willed, strong spirited. Gloria Savage was born in Stewart, Alabama, on June 21, 1950 but Gary, Indiana was her home. She was the third child of nine children born to Robert Henry and Lela Wilson, who preceded her in death. She was preceded in death by two siblings, Kenneth Henry Wilson and Rhonda Kaye Brinkley. She professed her belief in Christ at an early age and was a member of First A.M.E. Church in Gary, Indiana. Her childhood educational career began at Charles R. Drew Elementary School and ended at Theodore Roosevelt High School, which she also called “The ‘Velt”. A meeting with her guidance counselor led her to attend Lane College in Jackson, Tn. At Lane, she worked hard and was able to achieve a successful balance between class work and campus life. She maintained excellent grades while also becoming a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., joining campus organizations and participating in pageants, such as The Miss Lane College Pageant. She graduated from Lane College in 1978, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After years in the classroom as a professional educator, she once more re-entered the classroom as a student to earn her Master of Education degree. She is the recipient of numerous awards and a myriad of accomplishments in the education, arts and science fields. She was most proud of her Bachelors and Master Degrees in Education. In addition, she was a 1989 Stokely Fellow at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; 1989 Drama Certificate Recipient by the Tennessee Arts Academy; 1989 Regional Visual Art Conference Participant; 1990 Honors Teacher Award Recipient (Supported by NASA); 1999 National Teacher Appreciation Week Award Recipient (from East Chester Elementary School, Henderson, TN). She was also a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization for women in the education field. She retired in 2012 from East Chester Elementary School in Chester County, Tennessee, but never really gave up teaching.Her children and grandchildren became her full-time students and life was the manual she taught from. In addition to education, family was a big part of Gloria’s life. She is mother to five loving children, Michele Dionne (Donell) Colbert of Antioch, Tennessee; Roberta Leland Savage of Indianapolis, Indiana; Michael Montaine Xavier (Rynoshia) Savage of Jackson, Tennessee; Romaine Derrickus Savage of Jackson, Tennessee and Gia Mikelzie Sallyce Savage of Jackson, Tennessee. When she wasn’t in the classroom, she was a proud parent that supported all of her children’s activities. She was a karate mom, a dance mom, a pageant mom, a piano mom, a basketball mom, a baseball mom, a PTO mom, a band mom, a Spelman mom, a Columbia mom, a Lane mom, a Beta Club mom, a cheer mom, track mom, a volleyball mom, a tennis mom, a glee club mom, a yearbook club mom, a 4-H mom, a Lincoln Explorer’s Club mom, a GEMS mom, a XINOS and KUDOS mom and a Girl Scouts mom. SHE WAS AND WILL FOREVER BE THE PROUD MOTHER OF MICHELE, ROBERTA, MICHAEL, ROMAINE AND GIA. Gloria had a special, unique bond with each of her children. Over the years, her five children have acquired so many memories of her through songs, quotes, movies and long conversations that were often important and sometimes funny. To her children, she was a confidant, a friend, a shouler to cry on, a protector, a doctor, a lawyer and a teacher. Gloria was proud to see her children do and become so many things and she was there with a disposable camera to document everything along the way. No matter which grade, she was excited to see them start their first day of school. She was happy to help with class projects and sometimes just take over (Ha!) It made her heart smile to hear their name called on graduation day. She was apart of wedding days, births, graduations, everything. She was the loving support system that her children needed and they were there for her, too. She was a mother that always saw so much hope and possibility in her children. Whatever dream or idea was on their mind, she always encouraged her children to just TRY. She always said, “Nothing beats a”trial but a failure.” Above all, she simply wanted her children to be successful and able to take care of themselves. She wanted them to love each other and know that they were always loved by her, no matter what. Mother, the feeling is mutual.You will forever be loved by your children.Gloria Patricia Savage departed this life with her eldest son, Michael, by her side on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 7:35 pm at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee. Telling her that she had fought the good fight and had run her”race, she peacefully went to the heavenly home that awaits all of us. Her love for family extends beyond her children to a host of grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves to cherish her memory: six grandchildren and one great-grandchild; Michah Lee Patrick (S’Kaila) Colbert, Jazmine Creola Colbert, Leah SiAnn Newman, Kyla Elise Newman, Chayce Jerrell Freeman, Noemi’ Sallyce Lorraine Savage and Kaiden Thomas Colbert; two brothers~ Maurice R. Wilson of Gilbert, Arizona and Daniel H. (Stephanie) Wilson of Mansfield, Ohio; four sisters; Wanda Renee Wilson of Gary, Indiana; Evelyn (P.C.- deceased) Thomas of Hernando, Mississippi; Leila E. (Arthur) Campbell of South Holland, Illinois and Kristen M.L. (Mark) Fielder of Fishers, Indiana; one uncle~ James (Joyce) Harris of Mericopa, Arizona; six aunts~ Ruby Harris McDaniel Foster of Merrillville, Indiana; Vivian Carey of Gary, Indiana; Marva (Lucious) Bowen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Agnes Floyd (deceased) of South Euclid, Ohio; Willie Burnett (deceased) and Mildred Tooson (deceased).

Ms. Gloria Patrica Wilson Savage

June 21, 1954 - July 27, 2020