Mrs. Gloria T. Green

In Loving Memory of Gloria Thomas Green On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Gloria Thomas Green was peacefully called to eternal rest. She was born on April 1, 1941, to the late Edward and Mildred Thomas in Alexandria, Louisiana. From an early age, Gloria had a natural instinct to care for others. She would fondly tell the story of how she named each of her siblings and cared for them as though they were her own. That same sense of responsibility and love would become a thread running through every chapter of her life. Gloria met John W. Green when they were both beginning their careers as teachers in Shreveport, Louisiana. They married on August 16, 1966, and began a partnership that would span 60 years. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to South Bend, Indiana, where they built their family, their careers, and a life of service to others. Gloria was the matriarch of her family—not because she sought the title, but because people naturally looked to her. She had a way of making people believe that they could do more and be more. She was especially that way with her children Stephen "Kevin" Thomas Green and Angela J. Green. She was their biggest supporter, their steady voice of encouragement, and the person who could see their potential even when they could not see it themselves. She never seemed intimidated by a big dream. Instead, she made you believe you were capable of reaching it. When her only grandchild, NaTasha M. Jones, was born, Gloria looked at her and called her “Precious.” The name stayed. What began as a grandmother’s loving name became NaTasha’s enduring name—a small but lasting example of the special way Gloria had of making the people she loved feel seen and treasured. A Life in Education Education was one of the great purposes of Gloria’s life. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Southern University and later received her Master’s of Education from Indiana University. She devoted 36 years to education, spending most of her career with the South Bend Community School Corporation, teaching elementary and middle school students. While teaching at Harrison Elementary School from 1969 to 1976, she was mentored by fellow teacher Ethel Smith, who lead her to Christ. In 1972, Gloria accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and service expressed through caring for others, serving her church, supporting children and families, and advocating for those in need. As a teacher, Gloria especially loved teaching middle school. Her relationship with her students went far beyond the classroom. She knew them and their families well and cared about what happened in their lives. When a child needed something, she did not simply point them toward someone else—she stepped in. She would buy children clothes, comb their hair, pay for their lunch, and go to their homes to speak with their parents. She understood that supporting a child sometimes meant reaching beyond the school and into the home. Her students were not simply children she taught; they were children she cared for. Gloria’s commitment to education also extended to advocating for educators and their rights. She served on the Executive Board for National Education Association-South Bend and as Chair of the Minority Affairs Committee. She also served on the Indiana State Teachers Association's (ISTA) Board of Directors from 1989 to 1995. Through these roles, she was a strong advocate for teachers, working to influence policies, strengthen teachers’ rights, and ensure that educators had a meaningful voice in the decisions affecting their profession. Her leadership in education earned her numerous recognitions, including the ISTA Minority Teacher Award for Outstanding Service to the Association and the Field of Education in 1993 and the NEA Executive Board Service Award in 1999. In June 1999, after 36 years of teaching, Gloria retired from the South Bend Community School Corporation. But retirement did not mean that Gloria stopped working. It simply gave her more time to serve. A Faith That Became a Life of Service Gloria’s faith was not something she kept separate from the rest of her life. It shaped how she treated people, how she raised her family, how she served children, and how she gave of herself to her church and community. She was a faithful missionary at Saints Memorial Church of God in Christ, where she served in numerous ways. She ran Vacation Bible School for years, helping children and families learn about God and grow in their faith. She was also involved in Saints Memorial’s Les Leuers, a program promoting education and scholarship. Gloria believed strongly in the power of education and the opportunities it could provide. Through Les Leuers, she spent decades emphasizing that youth achievement matters, supporting their potential through Salad Extravaganza fundraisers that provided scholarships for numerous graduates during the Promenade. Her commitment to young people and steadfast support of their education was also acknowledged by the South Bend Urban League for 32 years of service on National Thurgood Marshall Day, June 26, 1999. Gloria’s service extended beyond children and into the broader life of the Church. She served as Chairlady of Young People Willing Workers, for which she received an Appreciation Award in 1998. Her ministry was always about bringing people together, strengthening families, encouraging young people, and helping others recognize the gifts and possibilities within themselves. That vision led Gloria to create something especially meaningful: a Historic Indiana 1st Jurisdiction COGIC youth camp and family retreat to give families an opportunity to come together annually for more than 20 years, participating in age-specific workshops and sessions designed to build their faith. She understood that strong faith could help strengthen families, and she created a space where families could learn, worship, fellowship, and grow together. Her service to the Church of God in Christ extended beyond her local church and jurisdiction. She served as a National Adjutant with the International COGIC, carrying that responsibility with the same dedication and faithfulness that characterized every other area of her life. In November 2019, she received an award from Chief Overseer Gabriel Hatcher Sr. recognizing her undying commitment and faithfulness to the National Adjutancy. A Woman Who Served Her Community Gloria’s influence reached well beyond her classroom and church. Her unselfish commitment to her community was recognized in 1994, when Delta Sigma Theta Sorority honored her with the Unsung Hero Award for her unselfish community contributions. The City of South Bend, Indiana, recognized Gloria during National Women’s History Month, honoring her as a Woman of Distinction—Woman of Honor in June 1999. Throughout the years, Gloria received many honors and expressions of appreciation for her dedication and service. Among them, she especially cherished the honor and appreciation for her labor of love to the Department of Women. That recognition was presented to her by Supervisor Darlene Stone of the Historic Indiana 1st Jurisdiction on August 2, 2023, under the leadership of Bishop Carl J. Steen, Jr., Jurisdiction Prelate. Gloria did not serve people for recognition. She served because she believed people mattered. She believed children should have what they needed. She believed teachers deserved to be heard and treated fairly. She believed families should have opportunities to strengthen their faith together. She believed education mattered. And she believed that serving others was not something to be done only when convenient—it was a responsibility and a reflection of her faith. Her life was a testament to what can happen when faith is put into action. She left behind a plentiful harvest of memories to cherish, honor and emulate for survivors: her loving husband of 60 years, John W. Green; her son, Stephen Thomas Green, Lake Charles, LA; daughter, Angela J. Green, Chicago, IL; granddaughter, NaTasha "Precious" M. Jones, Indianapolis, IN; four brothers: Jerry Thomas, Houston, TX; Harry Lee Thomas (Mary), Chataignier, LA; Donald Brown (Theresa), Crosby, TX; and Nathaniel Thomas (Emily), Renton, WA; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Thomas, Ville Platte, LA; Lahoma Thomas, Seattle, WA; Stephanie Thomas, Ville Platte, LA; Dorothy Green, Memphis, TN; Edith Momodu, Dallas, TX; Mary Maclin, Memphis, TN; Sharon Lynn, Memphis, TN; and Jacqueline Gray, Memphis, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives. Preceding her in death were her loving parents, Edward and Mildred Thomas; five brothers, Elwood, Henry, Hayward, Raphael, Charles Lee, Kirk and Cedric Paul Thomas; one sister, Jean Ida Jolivet; and her father and mother-in-law, Willie and Annie Betty Green, Sr. A Celebration of Life honoring a life well lived will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at St. John Baptist Church in Ville Platte, LA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM at the church, where family and friends will gather to share memories, offer comfort, and celebrate a life that will forever be cherished. Following the services, burial will take place in St. John Memorial Gardens. Rev. Freddie Jack will officiate the services. Her labor of love will not be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a youth scholarship fund in memory of Mother Gloria Green, continuing her legacy of supporting children and their educational futures. Donate: https://www.givelify.com/donate/NDQ0Mg==

Mrs. Gloria T. Green

April 1, 1941 - September 8, 2026