Ms. Gloria Jean Paul of Cordele, Georgia died Sunday, August 11, 2024 at the Crisp Regional Hospital in Cordele, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Spring Hill Church Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services is required to wear a mask and to practice social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your own mask.

On January 1, 1950 as the world celebrated the beginning of a new year, Johnnie B. Paul, Sr., and Adel Wilson Paul joyfully welcomed a beautiful daughter to their family. She was given the name Gloria Jean and was affectionately known to her  family and friends as "Lady."

Upon the completion of her formal education from the A. S. Clark High School in 1968, she enrolled at Albany Vocational College. She studied and worked hard to complete the necessary requirements to earn her Nursing Diploma.

Upon the completion of her courses and meeting the necessary requirements she began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Gifted with a true spirit of "help," Gloria worked for the Sumter Regional Hospital for 20 years. Her time was shortened due to the hospital being destroyed by a tornado. She went on to work for Crisp Regional Health Services and the Cordele Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Gloria loved the Lord and was introduced to him early in her life at the Spring Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping with other churches in and around the community.

There were very few moments when meeting Gloria when she did not greet you with a smile. An avid reader, she also enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren. She also never thought herself too busy to help others who needed her help.

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, the gleam of her light shone on this side for the last time and while our hearts are sad, we are grateful for what her light has meant to each of us. She is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie B., and Adel; her  siblings, Izora Dowdell, Johnny L. Paul and Roger Paul, and her brother-in-law, David Royal.

Her memory and the joy she imparted will light the hearts of her loving and devoted children, Margaret Mitchell (Tyrone) and Christopher Paul, Sr. (Velieka) both of Cordele, Georgia; her grandchildren, nine grandchildren, Christine, Shacala,  Alexandria, Chrishuana, Candice, Sierra, Sirrayna, Khajalen, and Christopher Jr.; 11 great grandchildren; a bonus granddaughter, April; her loving sisters, Bobbie Paul, Fannie Royal, and Helen Paul all of Cordele, Georgia, and Phyllis Stripling of Fort Valley, Georgia; her caring brothers, Johnny B. Paul, Jr. of Cordele, Georgia, Cleveland Paul (Diane) of Ashburn, Georgia, Roscoe Paul of Tifton, Georgia, and Isaac Owens (Kathleen) of Cordele, Georgia; a host of beloved   nieces, nephews and cousins; a host of other relatives and many sorrowing friends.