Gloria Stephney

Gloria Jean Snow Stephney was born on November 18, 1949 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the parents of Leroy Snow and Josephine Crawford. As a child she attended Myrtle Hall Elementary School. Gloria was baptized and was a member of Friendship A.M.E. Church. She called "Friendship" her home as she gave her life to Christ at an early age. 

Gloria grew up in the Mississippi Delta at the height of the Civil Rights Movement where racial inequality and injustice were the norm. It was Gloria's parents Leroy and Josephine, who instilled in her the importance and value of a good education and hard work, as both of her parents were business owners. She soon realized that education was the key to her success. She also developed a love for writing poetry. As a teen, Gloria attended  W.A. Higgins Jr-Sr High School. At Higgins, Gloria excelled in her studies and curriculum often earning top honors in her classes. She was a National Merit Scholar, crowned the W.A. Higgins Homecoming Queen and was valedictorian of the W.A. Higgins class of 1967.

In the fall of 1967, Gloria attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY where she majored in medical technology. After graduation, she moved to New York City and on September 16, 1972, she married her high school sweetheart Haywood Stephney, Jr. This union of 46 years produced three beautiful children, two sons Tylon and Taysjun, and one daughter Tarvryn Stephney. 

Gloria's first job was at Rockefeller University where she started her 50 year career in Electron Microscopy and research. This was just the beginning as she worked at several institutions including The Center for Joint Disease, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, Rockland County and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She also enrolled in graduate school earning her a Master's Degree in biology from New York University(NYU) and a Master's degree in Secondary Education from the City University of New York(CUNY). Gloria last worked at Montefiore Medical Center in pathology where she was an essential worker. She was dedicated to her research and laboratory work and performed these duties until she could work no further.

In 1998, Sister Gloria attended and became a member of Butler Memorial United Methodist Church in the Bronx, NY where Rev. Dr. Allen Pinckney is the current pastor. She was a Sunday school teacher and an active member within the church community. She served Christ and the church faithfully her entire life. Gloria dedicated her life to GOD, her family and especially her husband and children. She was a beautiful daughter, loving wife and a dedicated mother.

Sadly, March 18, 2021, after a year long fight, Gloria succumbed to her illness and returned to the Lord. May she rest in peace and may her light forever shine upon us.

Visitation will be Friday April 2, 2021 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Royal Funeral Home.  The graveside service will be Saturday April 3, 2021, 1:30 PM at Heavenly Rest Cemetery.

Gloria Stephney was preceded in death by her ever loving husband Haywood Stephney, Jr., her father, Leroy Snow, her mother, Josephine "Dear" Crawford, her grand-mother Estella Flagg and father in-law, Haywood Stephney, Sr., sister in-law Doris Lester and niece Ericka N. Wilson.

 Sister Stephney leaves behind her beloved children, 2 sons, Tylon C. Stephney and Taysjun K. Stephney, her daughter Tarvryn C.  Stephney all of the Bronx, NY., her brother, Roosevelt Harper, sisters-in-law Mary Harper, Carolyn Stephney, Vivian Johnson all of Clarksdale, MS, Esther Hubbard of Florida, brother-in-law, Montoria Hubbard of Florida and many nieces, nephews and other dear relatives and friends.