Gloria Ruby (Wilson) Whitfield

Gloria Ruby Wilson Whitfield, 96, a resident of Homeplace of Burlington, died Monday, December 5, 2022, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. She was born in Orange County to the late Henry Grover Wilson and Alice Ray Wilson but lived in Haw River for most of her life with her late husband Melvin, and family.  She also spent many wonderful weeks with him at their second home at Ocean Isle Beach.

Gloria graduated from Mebane High School and soon after became one of the first employees at the new Western Electric facility in Burlington. She worked on everything from telephones to sonar.  While at Western, she served as president of the Telephone Pioneers of America, a group that helped with community projects.  In her “spare time”, she was a Cub Scout leader, a lifelong member of the Haw River United Methodist Church, a member of the Haw River Garden Club, and a loving, caring mother, grandmother, and step-grandmother.

For those who knew her, she will always be remembered for her positive outlook on life. She had a humorous quip for all of life’s problems, and no one laughed harder or enjoyed a joke more than herself.  Her seasonal tables groaned under the weight of everyone’s favorite foods and desserts, and she dressed like a model for the occasions.  If it sparkled, twirled, or dazzled in any way, she delighted in sharing this silly, lighter side with others. She was pure joy.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Uthus of Burlington, and son, Greg and Terry Whitfield of Greensboro; and grandsons Jackson Whitfield of Asheville and Harrison Whitfield and Fiancé, Julia Matthews of Asheville; step grandson, Ron Uthus Jr, and wife Cathy, of Snow Camp; step granddaughter, Laura O'Brien and husband Bill, of Atlanta, GA, and many loving great, step-grandchildren. 

Gloria was predeceased by her husband, Melvin Whitfield, a son, Robert Whitfield, a son-in-law, Ron Uthus Sr.; Step Granddaughter, Debra Yared; four brothers, Jesse Wilson, Glen Wilson, Henry Wilson Jr., Braxton Wilson; and four sisters, Susan McPherson, Mabel McKinney, Margaret (Louise) Bradley, and Judy Klontz.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday December 10, 2022 at Graham Memorial Park with the Pastor Laura Kalau officiating.  McClure Funeral Home of Graham is serving the Whitfield family.

The Whitfield family would like to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers at Homeplace in Burlington, and to all the medical personnel at Moses Cone Hospital who were so compassionate in their treatment this weekend.  And a special thank you to Francis Bryant who has been a caregiver, and most importantly, a friend to Gloria for many years.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen organization to help in the fight against breast cancer by visiting  http://www.komen.org  or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation by visiting www.give.michaeljfox.org 

Online condolences may be sent at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net

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