Gloria Loretta Jones Baker, 81, was born on April 9, 1942 in Spotsylvania, Virginia to the late Wilbert Lee and Louise Jones. She went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, Virginia surrounded by her children.

Gloria accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, Gloria was baptized and joined the Second New Hope Baptist Church at an early age. It was there where she sang for the Lord and her late husband Herland Baker, Sr. visited the church and heard the songbird singing and decided that he had to get to know this lady from Slab-town. This meeting would be the start of a love that would last the rest of her life. They married on October 17, 1964 in Woodford, Virginia. Their union produced nine loving children.

Later in life, Gloria and Herland joined the Third Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Antonio Baker, Sr. When she was unable to continue attending church in person, she would stream his sermons which made her still feel connected to her church family. She was a true woman of God that leaned on His promises in every situation and she instilled that fire into her children and everyone that she met.
Gloria worked at Martin’s Mom and Pop restaurant as a cook during her young adult life. Gloria was raised by her grandparents, George and Elizabeth Jones. Grandma Elizabeth taught Gloria how to cook. As she mastered her craft, she would watch cooking shows faithfully and made sure that each meal was made with love. She was especially known for her barbeque chicken, potato salad and rice pudding! If Gloria was not loving on her family, she could be found gardening which brought peace and solace into her life.

Affectionately known to her children as “Momma Dushie or Pootie Pie,” Gloria was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. Gloria leaves to cherish her memories; sons: Herland Baker, Jr., of Alexandria, Virginia, Dwayne Baker of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jermaine Baker of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Steven Baker of Fredericksburg, Virginia; daughters: Cynthia Baker of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Roshawn Taylor (Mark) of Bowie, Maryland, Crystal Baker of Fredericksburg, Virginia; grandchildren, Kaylee Daniels, Ryan Smith, Mya Baker, Jasmine Baker, Dwayne Baker, Jr., Leandra Baker; great-grand children, Deonte Daniels, Micah Smith, Kaden Smith, Hudson Smith and Amir Flowers; brother, Willieboy Hudson; sisters, Cheryl Jordan, Crystal Jordan and Sandra (Hudson) Woolfolk and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Herland Baker Sr.; parents Wilbert and Louise Jones, grandparents George and Elizabeth Jones; children Jacqueline and Jo Frazier Baker.