Gloria Vest

Life Story

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

                                                                   Revelations 2:10 KJV

Gloria White Vest, age 69, heard her Master’s call and followed Him to her eternal home on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, VA.  She was born on July 17, 1954, to the late China Lewis and Roberta Mae Brown White and spent her entire life in the Wilmington area of Fluvanna County. She was preceded in death by her parents, a loving and supportive grandmother Lee Anna “Leitha” Brown, grandparents Clifton and Susie Scott White and her loving husband George Jones Vest.

Gloria joined Evergreen Baptist Church at an early age and remained active until her passing.  She served in the Missionary, Pastor Aide, Senior and Young Adult Choirs, and Combined Choir. She was Superintendent of the Sunday School and Church Treasurer. In addition to serving at Evergreen, Gloria supported the Vacation Bible School with other local churches and the Fluvanna County Sunday School Union as the Secretary.

Idle time was not something that Gloria had a lot of during the day. She graduated from Fluvanna County High School and went to work as a secretary for the Fluvanna County School Board office. She was employed with the School System for 10 years.  Then she worked for 32 years as the Deputy Treasurer in the Fluvanna County Treasurer’s Office. During her retirement, Gloria was not one to sit in a rocking chair and took on part time employment with the Registrar’s Office. In all aspects of her employment, she enjoyed greeting the public and providing customer service with a smile.

Gloria served as a volunteer with the Fluvanna Volunteer Rescue Squad since 1973 working beside George doing rescue duty. They had a heart for helping and caring for people and wanted to support the Rescue Squad becoming Lifetime Members. Gloria continued serving the Rescue Squad after she was unable to do the squad runs. She served as the Treasurer for over 20 years. That was her dedication to supporting the organization.

Gloria was a Director with the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) serving the East District for over 20 years, representing members in Fluvanna, Louisa, and Orange counties.  In December 2017, the CVEC Board of Directors dedicated its Community Room at the newly constructed CVEC office building in Palmyra to the first two female directors. Gloria was the second female director to be elected to the CVEC, thus the room was named the Harlowe-Vest Community Room. In addition to the Community Room, Gloria was extremely happy to see the broadband installation of FireFly in the Fluvanna area to expand internet access. One of her last accomplishments with the CVEC Board of Directors was achieving Director Gold certification as a Rural Electric Board Director from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which was the highest level of training from NRECA for directors.

Other work Gloria embarked on to help in the community included the Fluvanna Board of Equalization and the Fluvanna Branch NAACP. Whatever she could do to make a difference, Gloria tried and put forth much effort and care to support it.

Gloria had a special heart for her family. She helped raise her younger siblings at the early passing of their mother. She was very nurturing and caring during the illness of her father and Granny Lee Anna. Not only her immediate family, when Gloria saw a need to help, she helped.

Gloria is survived by her two loving daughters who are dear to her heart, Jana Vest Harrison (Chad) and Cameron (Na’) Vest (friend Jonnathan Somrux), a very special grandson Jalen Harrison (friend Alix) and two most adorable granddaughters Caelyn and Calayah; four sisters:  Teresa Jones (Tom), Shelia  White Buggs (Jeff White), Violette Bolling (Elliott “ET”), and Kim DaCosta (Charles); three brothers:  Vernon White (Inez), Clifford White (Louise Grooms) and Christopher White; a beloved and caring aunt Camelia White; sisters-in-law Thelma Jackson and Nora Young; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Gloria will also be missed by her beloved Budd.

Many thanks to her great niece-in-law Sharoneese Christmas for the care in the last month.

“A Love One is gone, a link has been broken, A battle is over, a victory has been gained. We all loved you, but God loved you best, And has taken you home to rest.”

      The Family    

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