Gloria Dianne Daye-Fields

Gloria Dianne Daye-Fields entered into eternal rest the morning of April 27, 2022, following a decline in health over the years. She was surrounded by loved ones during the days preceding her passing.

Gloria was born on June 6, 1947, in NY, NY to the late Mary Nell Fields Taylor Harris and Robert Daye. She was the oldest of four children. As a young girl, Gloria was educated in the Union Parish School System in LA as well as P.S. 110 in Jamaica, Queens. As a teenager she attended Andrew Jackson High School (Jamaica, Queens) and other schools in the NYC School system. She pursued higher education at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Medgar Evers College and earned her Bachelor's degree in Business at Malcolm-King College. Gloria graduated in her early 40's with her Master's in Education from Lehman College. She accomplished her educational goals all while working full time at the Department of Social Services and then as a School Secretary at P.S. 197 in Harlem. Once Gloria obtained her Master's degree she dedicated her life to providing formal education to high school students in NYC by teaching Business Education. Through the years she worked at various high schools including Louis D. Brandeis, Norman Thomas and George Washington. As she progressed in her career, she became an Adjunct Professor at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, NY and Borough of Manhattan Community College. She also worked per diem at the NYC Department of Education administrative offices in Brooklyn, NY, helping new teachers to get certified. Gloria retired in 2003.

Gloria was very active in her church (Southern Baptist Church, Harlem) as well as several professional organizations including Eastern Business Education Association and National Business Education Association. Gloria was awarded many titles and honors throughout the years.

Gloria was a wonderful mix of both southern girl and city woman. She loved to travel and experience new settings. She lived in Atlanta, GA; Chicago and Detroit, MI. Louisiana was always her "heart home." Although, she spent time in other places, she always seemed to find her way back to NYC. By the early 1970's, Gloria had settled in Harlem, NY and would call Lenox Terrace Apartments her home until 2017 when her health caused her to go into a nursing home.

Gloria enjoyed shopping, Christmas, holiday decorating, gourmet jellybeans, talking on the phone for hours with her friends, giving holiday and birthday cards and spending time at her timeshare in Hilton Head, SC. She was the ultimate music lover and had eclectic taste. She loved everything from the Staple Singers and Marvin Gaye to Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and Mariah Carey. Gloria adored her family – especially her daughter, Traci ("Tra"), cats and had a soft spot for children.

Gloria had an unassuming and sometimes shy personality. But once she opened up, you would be a target of her 6am phone calls. However, you would also gain a loyal friend for life. Gloria was generous, sensitive, intelligent and a hard worker. She shared a close relationship with her family.

Preceding her in death, were her parents (Mary Nell Fields Taylor Harris and Robert Daye), one brother (Marty Joe Taylor), her sister (Colleen Goddess Taylor Payne Norman) and her baby sister (Cheryl Antoinette Fields Taylor). Gloria's best friend, Diane Nixon, also preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn her passing one daughter: Traci-Shara Fields of Laurel, MD; Two nieces: Erica Young (Daniel) of Monroe, LA, Christina Payne of Ruston, LA and numerous loving great-nieces and great nephews in LA. Gloria took pride in being a Godmother to Charlie Jameson Shealey, Cameron Jackson Shealey (who affectionately called her "GG") and Eric Jones, all of Atlanta, GA.

Gloria made friends wherever she went. Her friendships were never shallow and she cherished her friends as though they were family. Gloria leaves behind to mourn, close friends: Margie Evans (Fairmont, NC); Ida Mutch (Bronx, NY); Ernestine Shaffer (Atlanta, GA); Geneva Muskelly (NY, NY); Renee Greene (Montrose, NY); Leroy Flood (South Carolina) and Alexandra "Sissy" Robinson and Priscilla "Sugar" Hodnett (Jamaica, NY). Gloria also had many life-long friends from childhood including: Mary Land (Atlanta, GA) and the Knight family (Jamaica, NY). Gloria loved her family immensely and was extremely close with many of her cousins (who were more like siblings) including Donna Jackson, Iris Fields-Clifton, Larry Jackson and Sarah Ann Brewster ("Ann"). Gloria's love and the love for her extends far and wide. Many people were special to her and held a space in her heart.