Gloria Jean Morgan-Baker

Gloria Jean Morgan-Baker was born July 27, 1941 and transitioned to glory on October 22, 2024. She graduated from Union Academy High School in Polk County. Her secondary education was at Brewster Vocational where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1971 and later graduated from Hillsborough Community College with her Associates Degree in Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1996. She was known by her colleagues as the “Merck Manual” because of her vast knowledge about medicine and healthcare. 

Gloria’s love for nursing was matched by her love for being creative. She was masterful with her hands: seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheting, macrame, and baker. She was an artist with her hands and a scientist with her brain. The two came together and made for unmatched wisdom, knowledge, creativity, and beauty, enabling her to teach many of these skills. 

None of these attributes, skills or knowledge came close to her love for God. She accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at an early age and was skillful in the Word of God and often gave bibles as gifts. In her early adult life she would host bible study in her home and prepare meals for all who attended. In her latter years she often expressed her delight in being with Jesus and worshipping God.

She has been preceded in death by her parents Paul Morgan, Sr. and Mittie Render as well as siblings Christina Taylor, Carlton David and Kevin Barnes. Her surviving siblings are Deloris McCray (Avery), Paul Morgan , Jr. (Helena), Frances Franklin,  Anthony Morgan (Pamela) and Michael Crump.

Gloria leaves a great legacy through family - daughters Christina Cox (husband - Terrell) and Anita Lee (husband - Johnnie Felton), grandchildren Kenneth Stephens, Shannon Lee, Camellia Simmons, Marcus Terry, Adrian Stephens, Micah Stephens, Danielle Herriott, and Vension Jones, and a host of great grandchildren. She has a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, too many to name. Her wittiness, intellect, courage, compassion, and strength will be greatly missed, but always remembered and will live on through the lives she touched and inspired.