Gloria Payne Womack

1945 - 2022

Mrs. Gloria Payne Womack passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at her daughter's home in Clarksville, Md. She was born on November 15, 1945, to the late Walter Allen and Theola Reaves Payne in Charlottesville, Va., where she was a resident for most of her life.

Gloria attended Charlottesville Public Schools and graduated from the segregated Jackson P. Burley High School in 1964. Extremely active and popular in high school, Gloria loved participating as a cheerleader for the Burley Bears and was the only senior cheerleader. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and served as the Senior Officer, Assistant Secretary of the class of 1964.

Following high school, Gloria attended Virginia State University where she majored in Business Education. This experience helped launch her career path as a secretary in the Charlottesville City Schools Administrative Offices where she was employed in 1980 until her disability retirement in 2002. She loved working with school administrators, faculty, and the general public where she graciously greeted people with a heart- melting smile.

A wonderful cook and hostess, Gloria enjoyed arranging numerous social gatherings. Over the years, she was active with several pinochle clubs and loved spending time with family and friends. She was a lifelong member of the Mount Zion First African Baptist Church where she was baptized and received her Christian Education. She attended faithfully until disability precluded her from attending. She was active with the Senior Ministry and served on a host of committees over the years.

Gloria leaves to cherish her memory two loving daughters, Tara J. Womack of Charlottesville, Va., and Cynthia J. Bell (Dr. Henry H. Bell Jr.) of Clarksville, Md.; four grandchildren, Hailey Elizabeth, Jessica Nicole, Heather Harrison, and Henry Harrison Bell, III, of Clarksville, Md.; one sister, Dr. June P. Payne of Muncie, Ind.; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Sr. and Theola Reaves Payne; one brother, Walter Jr.; a sister, Lottie Payne Edwards; and her long-time companion, Elston (Cliff) Young.

A Service of Thanksgiving will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022, 12 p.m., at the Mount Zion First African Baptist Church, with Dr. Alvin Edwards officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the start of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested monetary donations be made in her honor to the building fund of the Mount Zion First African Baptist Church, 105 Lankford Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Arrangements by J.F. Bell Funeral Home Inc. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guestbook at www.jfbellfuneralservices.com.