- Date Of Death: December 2, 2016
- State: Maryland
Smoot, Gloria E.
Gloria Emile (Elledge) Smoot was born April 17, 1927, in Panama, Central America. She arrived in the United States of America via Ellis Island, NY, when she was only six months old. Her family (all born in Colombia, South America) wanted Gloria to be “the first American” of the family, so, though their native language was Spanish, they spoke to Gloria “only in English”. She grew up in New York City where the Lincoln Center now stands, and she enjoyed her family’s ethnic background by attending dances and events at neighborhood Spanish clubs, and sporting activities with the Police Athletic League. Young Gloria loved dancing, high heels, and the red lipstick that complimented her coal black hair.
Toward the end of WWII, Gloria met and fell in love with a quiet young sailor named Jimmy (Marvin O. Smoot, by birth) who hailed from the mountains of West Virginia. When Jimmy got out of the Navy, they married on November 2, 1947, and went back to Jimmy’s home in Romney, WV, to live with his parents on the family farm. Gloria’s mother and sisters, knowing her love of dancing and fun times, gave the marriage six months! Little did they imagine that Gloria and Jimmy were meant to live and love a lifetime together. Gloria loved and cherished Jim for the 59 years they were together before Jim’s passing in 2006.
Gloria was a working mom, who worked for Maryland National Bank in several different capacities over the years. She worked the night shift, originally, so that her children always had a parent with them (no babysitters!). She caught cat-naps during the day so that she could be up and ready when her kids returned from school and Jimmy came home from work. She retired from banking at age 65.
Gloria was a positive force in many lives…her children’s, her children’s friends, her grandchildren’s, her great-grandchildren’s, her neighbors’, and her friends’! She loved her church and the many friends she had there. She was a great role model as a mom, and she taught us all the meaning of family love. If asked to describe her, you might hear that Gloria was selfless, kind, caring, and wonderful…because she was truly all these things. O, and Gloria loved her Baltimore Orioles, too! Watching the O’s, win or lose, was her favorite pastime.
Life became difficult for Gloria in her final months as her pain increased, her circumstances became unbearable at times, and her desire to age with dignity was tested. But, she remained faithful and tried so hard to remain strong through all her adversities. Gloria Emile Smoot peacefully left us on December 2, 2016.
Left here to cherish her memory and love are her children: Patricia Smoot-Wood and her husband, Danny; Denise Cole and her husband, Tom; David Smoot and his wife, Karen. Her grandchildren: Kelly, Jim, Aimee, Matthew, Justin, Zachary, Brett, and Haley. Her great-grandchildren: Sasha, Landon, Cecelia, Elliott, Astrid, Emerson, Dylan, Graham, Bella, and Samuel.
We will miss her terribly, but Gloria’s love will remain with us always, and we can picture her whole again and pain free, smiling down from Heaven, holding hands with her beloved Jimmy.
