Gloria Hersom

Gloria B Hersom passed from our presence into the presence of her Savior on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born to John & Doris Smith at home in Prentiss, ME on September 14, 1933.

She hung a sign in her dining room with three words that incapsulated her life: "FAITH FAMILY FRIENDS"

The seeds of her faith were planted in childhood by Sunday School teachers and others at the Prentiss Church of God. In her forties those seeds matured to fruit as she surrendered her life to the Christ of Scripture. The transformation that began then, continued through her final days on earth. In the weeks preceding her death, she began to hear music and singing that she described as the most beautiful she'd ever heard. She began to sing in her sleep during her final days. She sang the songs she learned as a child...songs about Jesus and Heaven: "He Touched Me, He Abides, God is My Refuge, Oh I Want to See Him, What a Day That Will Be, Lead Me Gently Home" and others. In her final hours, she stared at a corner in her room. When Bob asked what she saw, she said, "I see Jesus." Her final testimony of faith was those three words.

Her family was her second love. She grew up as one of eight siblings [who gave her 20 nieces and nephews.] At seventeen she married Leo D Hersom and they became parents to Bob, Sandy and Jim. In time they became grandparents to Mike, Aaron, Chad and April who made them great-grandparents to Makala, CJ, Riley, Kari and Noah. When Gloria needed support to remain in her home, Sandy moved in as companion and caregiver for about six years. In May of 2025 she had a hip fracture and replacement. After rehab she moved to Georgia with Bob and Deb to continue her care in their home until her passing.

Her friends were her church family in Prentiss and beyond, in places like Prince Edward Island. Her friends also included her Prentiss, Kingman & Springfield neighbors most of whom she'd known since their youth. Her friends included coworkers from about 35 years of working at Foster Manufacturing. She quickly made friends with anyone who liked to play Yatzee.

She was predeceased by her husband [Leo] of 66 years; her parents [John & Doris Smith]; her brothers [Sterling, Tommy & Gary;] her sisters [Delores (Tom Glover), Joan & Shirley (Delmont Worster)] and a grandson Michael Jipson.

She is survived by her sister Jean Doan; brother Jeff Smith; a sister-in-law Juanita; children [Robert (Deborah), Sandy Stanley and James]; her grandchildren [Aaron, Chad (Rose) & April]; her granddaughter in law [Amy]; her great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Her remains will be interred in Prentiss following a memorial in the spring on a date to be determined.

Condolences can be shared with the Hersom family at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.

All arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, South Crest Chapel, Rossville, Georgia.