Gloria Williamson

Gloria Lakenan Williamson, 95, of Charlotte, North Carolina, formerly of Jackson, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 8, 2026.

Gloria was born February 28, 1931, in Perryville, Missouri, to William Kinnison and Ruby Nelson Lakenan. She was a graduate of Perryville High School; earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern (Rhodes College) in Memphis; a Master of Arts from Memphis State University; and trained as a cryptologist in Washington D.C.

She and William Taylor Williamson were married in 1953. They settled in Mason, Tennessee, where Gloria taught school. They were blessed with three daughters, Deborah, Denise, and Jean.

In 1960, the family moved to Jackson, where Gloria taught French at Jackson High School. She stepped away from the classroom to raise her growing family and began a 40-year career as a piano teacher, during which time she nurtured a love of music in generations of students.

Gloria served in many capacities at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. She was a regular at the library, drawn to books on World War II, Winston Churchill, and many U.S. presidents. She enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and was an enthusiastic fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Duke Blue Devils.

In 2006, she moved to Charlotte to be near family, especially her grandchildren. She deeply loved her family, guiding and counseling them through many of life’s challenges. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She is affectionately remembered for her warmth, wit, generosity, and guidance, and will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Survivors include two daughters, Denise W. (Ross) Wilson of Charlotte, and Jean W. (Travis) Ward of Dallas, Texas; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Gloria and Bill celebrated 35 years of marriage prior to his unexpected death in 1988. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Deborah Witt; her parents; and siblings, Peggy Davis and Bill Lakenan.

The family would like to thank the staff of Summit Place of South Park for their loving care of Gloria during the past year. They are grateful for the VIA Health Partners/Hospice staff for their compassionate care in the final weeks of her life.

Visitation is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, Missouri. Interment is private at Russell Heights Cemetery, where Gloria will be laid to rest next to her beloved Bill.

To celebrate Gloria’s life in North Carolina, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026, at Christ Covenant Church Chapel in Matthews, North Carolina. Visitation will follow the service.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Misty Meadow Mitey Riders, 455 Providence Road South, Waxhaw, NC 28173 (miteyriders.org), or Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue, MSC 1439, Charlotte, NC 28274 (for the Music Therapy Program).