After running that old race she can say "It's finally over and I've won!" Gloria Jean (Jordan) Dukes was called home to be with her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ early Wednesday morning, August 12, 2009.

Gloria lived to serve the Lord after accepting Our Lord & Savior into her life more than twenty years ago. She walked, talked, and lived for the Lord during her brief time here on earth. She attended the Redeemer Grace Church located at 37105 Dixon Lion Road, Mechanicsville, MD, with Pastor Kenneth Parker Jr. and First Lady Lorraine Parker. Gloria's duties at church included correspondent secretary (8 years), missionary (9 years), Sunday school teacher (7 years) and a part-time bus driver.

Gloria was born to her parents Jeremiah J. Jordan, Sr. and Mauline E. (Briscoe) Jordan on June 3, 1954 in Leonardtown, MD. Gloria had a mighty big heart that kept on giving and giving. Gloria spent her free time surrounded by her family and good friends. You could always hear her big heartfelt laugh when she heard a joke or if she was telling one of her stories. Gloria could always be found with her cousin and sidekick Geraldine Travers, and eventually they invited Grace Milburn into their "Two person club" and called themselves "The Three G's." What a trio they were. Gloria's past time was spent reading, cooking, sewing, writing poetry, singing and listening to gospel music. Gloria was so creative and it showed in her craft, she always strived for excellence.

Gloria received her early education at St. Peter Calver Catholic School, located in Ridge, MD and she graduated from Great Mills High School in Great Mills, MD in June of 1972. She started a trade of designing and making her own unique clothing by stitching them by hand, even though she had a top of the line sewing machine. She had a special gift to engage in conversation with all that she met, because she never met a stranger. She loved people and found a job that offered her the opportunity to use her most valuable skill, TALKING. Gloria worked for many years at the Paul Hall Training Center also known as HLSS in Piney Point, MD. Her Last place of employment was at Walmart, in California, MD, as the head associate of the ladies department until her early retirement in 2005.

Gloria leaves to mourn her mother Mauline E. Jordan of Drayden, MD, her five children, Tammy A. Jordan, Clifford Dukes and Frederick Dukes, Jr., all of California, MD, Anthony Dickens, Jr., of Lexington Park, MD and her baby boy Claude Dukes, of Great Mills, MD. She has ten grandchildren, Denise Henderson (Shawn), Francis S. Miles, Jr., La'Nee Johnson, Kanesia Dickens, Jocelyn Dickens, Shaness Dickens, Destiny Copsey, Anthony Dickens III, Kyson Dukes and Connor Coyne. She has two great grandchildren, Latavia and Shawn Henderson, Jr., Twelve siblings, Mary E. Wooten (John), Jeremiah Jordan, Jr. (Sharon), Theresa A. Miles, Doris M. Chew, Thomas A. Jordan, Karen D. Jordan, Sharon D. Drew (James), Delores M. Jordan, Paul R. Jordan (Robin), Charles H. Jordan, Sr., David A. Jordan, Sr. (Karen), and Brian A. Jordan ( Marjorie), and two special cousins, Jo-Ann Travers Nunley and Pamela Briscoe Herbert.

In addition to her father Jeremiah J. Jordan, Sr., Gloria was preceded in death by her granddaughter Destiny Jean Burrough Dukes, three young brothers Patrick, Lloyd, and Roger Jordan, two nephews John "Fats" and Marlo "Vonny" Butler.

Gloria you are gone, but you'll never be forgotten. Gloria's Going Home Services will be held at St. Marks UAME Church located on Happy Land Road in Valley Lee, MD, on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 11:00AM, viewing for the public will be between 10:00 and 11:00AM. Pallbearers will be her brothers Jeremiah "Jerry" J. Jordan, Jr., Thomas "Tommy" A. Jordan, Paul "Bobby" R. Jordan, Charles "Charlie" H. Jordan, Sr., David A. Jordan, Sr., and Brian "Tony" A. Jordan. Honorary Pallbearers will be her nephews Richard A. Jordan, Sr., Shawn A. Miles, Sr., J. Lionel Wooten, Craig D. Miles, Thomas A. Jordan, Thomas J. Jordan, DeAngelo Jordan, David A. Jordan, Sr., Charles H. Jordan, Jr., Terrell Drew and her best friend Geraldine M. Travers.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.