Gloria Dean Dillard

Gloria Dean Dillard was born November 23, 1936 on Thanksgiving Day in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Robert Leroy Hilbert and Bernice Osborne Hilbert.  She was the third of six children born to that union.  She grew up in Pawnee, Oklahoma and attended Lincoln Public Schools and graduated May 25, 1955 as the Salutorian of her class.  She was taught by Clara Luper a well known civil rights pioneer in Oklahoma.  Gloria attended Langston University and her major was in nutrition.At Langston, Gloria discovered one of her many hidden gifts and talents which was acting.  From there she joined the Dustbowl Theatre under the direction of one of her favorite professors Dr. Melvin B. Tolson, of whom the movie "The Great Debator," was based on.  Gloria then moved to Oklahoma City and pursued a career as a registered Dietian at OU Presbytarian  Hospital.  From there she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and worked for Miller & Paynes in their fashion department.  While there, she met and married the "love of her life", a young Air Force Sergeant Jimmy Lee Dillard from Tuskegee, Alabama.  From that union a son was born, Roderick Dean Dillard and a daughter, Glorene Denise Dillard.  While raising her children, she taught at the Head Start Program in McKeesport, PA.  After the passing of her husband, Jimmy Lee, she moved the family to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Gloria worked as the Head Clerk at T.G&Y.  She was lovingly referred to as the "T.G.&Y. lady" in the neighborhood.Being raised in a Christian environment Gloria acknowledged and accepted the Lord at an early age.  On November 18, 1984 she was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost under Pastor W.H. Black and Dr. Minnie M. Black at Grace Apostolic Temple, Tulsa, Oklahoma where she remained a faithful member.  She accepted the call to ministry in June 1999, and preached her first sermon at Grace Apostolic.  Known to many as Mother Dillard, she served the body of Christ in many capacities.  One of her many titles was chairperson of the Adams Country Store, Oklahoma State Missionary Council Auxiliary of the PA of W.She was a living example of the Proverbs 31 woman, "Her children rise up and call her blessed."She was loved by many and will be greatly missed by friends, family, and the body of Christ.She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jimmy Lee and son Rodrick Dean, 2 sisters Easter Hilbert and Manetta Jackson and 1 brother, Robert Lee Hilbert.Celebrating her memory and life daughter Glorene (John) Stewart, sister,Edith Calvert and brother Jerome Montgomery, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.Gloria Dillard was a beautiful woman, faithful to the calling of Christ.  She loved the Lord with all her heart.  She fought a good fight and finished her course.  Hence forth is laid up for her a crown of Glory.Services were held Friday 2:00 P.M. June 24, 2016 in the Poteet Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Melvin Cooper and Pastor John Harold Stewart Jr. officiating. Internment followed at the Highland Cemetery, Pawnee. Services were under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Friends can leave a memory for the family at www.poteetfuneralhome.com