Gloria Anne Love

Gloria Anne Love (Gillespie) was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on November 27, 1951, to Mary Anne Clayborn (Gillespie-Clark) and Grover Arvester Gillespie Sr.

Gloria attended St. Joseph and St. Vincent Catholic Schools, graduated from Lincoln High School, and attended Kansas City Job Corps for nursing.

Gloria’s work history reflected her interest in education, service, and community. She was employed as a paraprofessional at C.A. Franklin Elementary, the Internal Revenue Service, Price Chopper, and the Election Board.

Gloria’s many accomplishments and acts of service include starting a nonprofit organization named Glory Hallelujah. The organization was designed to provide safe and high-class transportation for seniors. Gloria also began writing an autobiography, which is believed to have been the beginning of her healing. She was a powerful and essential part of her community, volunteering to feed the homeless at Thelma’s Kitchen, GYRL (Giving Yourself Real Love), and Community Gardens. Gloria openly declared that she would never leave her roots, the “Inner City.” She always told her children the inner city would be rebuilt, and she would be a part of it—and she was.

Gloria was a committed and dedicated servant of Westminster Baptist Church for approximately forty-one years. As an active member of WBC, Gloria served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, usher, greeter, in hospitality, and wherever she saw a need.

Gloria met and married Nathaniel Love Sr. on April 20, 1973. Their union lasted thirty-five years and was blessed with four children, all residing in Kansas City, Missouri: Michelle Rice (Love), Natalie Love-Maxberry, Kenneth Love Sr., and Genice Love. Gloria also had two children by love, Nathaniel Love Jr. and Mark Walker. Sons-in-law include Robert Maxberry and Nathaniel Rice.

Gloria was a lover of THE LORD, family, education, and serving her community. She enjoyed being around her family and was passionate about being a grandmother. She loved art, education, learning, and teaching. Gloria enjoyed crocheting, watching cooking shows, game shows, home improvement shows, and soap operas (The Young and the Restless, All My Children, One Life to Live, and General Hospital). She also enjoyed music and dancing. These are just a few of the things that brought her joy. Gloria had an amazing sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. She also had a very “slick tongue” and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind—you always knew when Gloria “got with you.” While she was known for her caring, sweet, and smooth demeanor, she was also feisty and fiery when needed. Although Gloria loved to serve, she equally enjoyed being served.

Gloria was a woman of great faith, which at times could even be described as “radical faith.”

Gloria departed this life on January 13, 2025, at the youthful age of seventy-three.

Some family members who preceded Gloria in death include her parents, Mary Anne Clark and Grover Arvester Gillespie Sr.; her sister, Mary Alice Gillespie; her brothers, Alan Mark Gillespie and Grover Arvester Gillespie Jr.; and her granddaughter, Aariona Chante Love, along with a host of other family and friends.

Gloria leaves to cherish her memory her children: Michelle, Natalie, Kenneth, and Genice; her siblings: Deborah Gillespie and Denise Freeman of Kansas City; her grandchildren: Charles, Chyanne, Marquelle, I’Janae, Na’Tasia, Reign, Kennedy, Kenneth Jr., King, Faith, Kashton, Terrance, Clinton, Takira, Chantae, Shanae, Britiany, and Mark; and her great-grandchildren: Loyal, Khasani, Charles II, and Yharia. She is also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Westminister baptist church 11230 Bristol Terrace, Kansas City, 
MO 64134. The visitation will  begin at 11:00 am, the service will follow at 12:00 pm.