Gloria Eaves

1947 - 2024

Gloria Jane Eaves (77), born April 28, 1947, in Frederick, MD, died at Carroll Hospital Center on August 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving husband, children and spouses, and four grandchildren. The daughter of Harry Owen Karn and Louise Davis Karn, Gloria was raised in Burkittsville, and later Middletown, MD with her siblings Gerald Franklin (Frank) Karn, and Juanita (Karn) Conkling. She had many special memories from her youth of times with grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended Middletown High School and was active in the school's award-winning marching and concert band, playing the clarinet. She continued to enjoy close relationships with classmates and regularly attended high school reunions.

Gloria met her beloved husband Robert (Bob) Donald Eaves, who attended Walkersville High School at a local dance. They married on October 21,1965, shortly before Bob went to serve in Vietnam. They briefly resided on Patrick Street in Frederick, MD, where their first child Cynthia (Cindy) Sue Eaves was born, before moving to their current home in New Windsor, MD, where they have lived for 54 years. Shortly thereafter, Gloria gave birth to son Jefferson (Jeff) Lee Eaves. Gloria was a faithful and loving wife and mother who prioritized raising her children. She was well-known throughout the neighborhood for welcoming all of her children's friends. After her children were school age, she began working at New Windsor Middle School, first in the cafeteria, and later as a school nurse. She then worked at Elmer Wolfe Elementary - as a school nurse and teacher's assistant before her retirement after 27+ years of service in Carroll County Public Schools. Gloria also completed the Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program at Carroll Community College and worked as a CNA at Carroll Lutheran Village and other nursing home facilities in Carroll County. Throughout her career, Gloria advocated for the most vulnerable children and the elderly, and was highly regarded by administrators, coworkers, and those she served for her professionalism and kind heart. She loved being recognized in the community by former students. After her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband Bob to visit her aunt Rachel out west, socializing with work, church, and school friends, as well as spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Gloria was overjoyed at the birth of grandchildren, Jackson Robert Eaves, Jordan Lee Eaves, James Melvin Graham, V, and Macie Jane Eaves. Her favorite times were in their presence, and she was an active and integral part of their lives - supporting, teaching, listening, and loving with all her heart the way that only a Mom Mom can do. She loved attending their sporting, concert and school events, and when her health prevented her from doing so, she kept up through texts, videos, pictures, and visits. She especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren being together at holidays at her home, and at special events, such as her eldest grandson's graduation from college, when everyone celebrated in Florida. This May she attended her eldest granddaughter's college graduation just months after receiving a pacemaker, demonstrating the strength of her determination when it came to loving her grandchildren. Even during her hospitalization, she was looking forward to attending the high school graduations of her youngest grandson and granddaughter, and the birth of her first great-grandchild.

By grace, through faith, Gloria was a born-again Christian, and the love of Christ was reflected in all she did. She was a peacemaker who strove to bring others together in the spirit of forgiveness. Always putting others before herself, she was not one to seek recognition for any of her many good deeds. She was raised in the Lutheran church and became a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church when she moved to New Windsor, singing in the church choir and volunteering at the church's vacation bible school. Although her later years were marked by numerous chronic health conditions and physical struggles that limited her mobility, she prayed for others continually and maintained an attitude of joy, hope, gratitude, and perseverance rooted in her abiding faith. Her salvation in Christ eases our grief in that we know we will be reunited with her in heaven.

Gloria is predeceased by her parents, Harry and Louise Karn, her brother Frank Karn, and sister Juanita Conkling. Surviving in addition to her devoted and beloved husband Robert Donald Eaves of New Windsor, are children Cynthia Sue Eaves (James Graham, IV) of Mount Airy, and Jefferson Lee Eaves (Megan Eaves) of Taneytown; grandchildren Jackson Robert Eaves (fiancee Alexis Cueller), Jordan Lee Eaves, Macie Jane Eaves, and James M. Graham, V; sisters-in-law Darla Karn and Patricia Currence (Richard Currence), nieces Jamie Synder, Jenny Wallace (Scott Wallace), and Stephanie Scordo (life partner Matt Dove); great niece Sienna Scordo and great nephew Tai Scordo.

The family will receive visitors at Hartzler Funeral Home, 310 Church St., New Windsor on Monday, August 12, 2024, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8. A service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 200 Main St., New Windsor on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 10am, with Pastor Shari McCourt officiating, immediately followed by a private interment in Walkersville, Maryland. Following the interment, all are invited to a reception at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 250, New Windsor, MD 21776.

You may place a message or memory on her "tribute wall" at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. Gloria Eaves