Gloria Dean Johnson

Gloria Dean Johnson, 95, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, at Schervier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in the Bronx, NY.

Born on April 25, 1931, in Littleton, North Carolina, Gloria was the second of twelve children born to Jessie Pullen and Ida Lynch-Pullen. Among her eleven siblings, she was predeceased by her brothers—Shirley, Wiley, Frank, Samuel, and Otto—as well as her sisters—Mattie, Peggy, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen, and Grady Bell. However, her sister Lilly Mae survives her.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria married the late Tyler Marshall Whitfield Johnson in 1947. Together, they had seven children: she was predeceased by three sons—Tyler, Whitfield, and George—and is survived by her children Glorious, Tyrone, Laverne, and Geraldine.

Gloria's family continued to grow and flourish. Among her many blessings are twenty-four grandchildren, including Aretha, Monique, Tyhesha. Tyler Jr. (TJ), Craig, Sunshine, George Jr., Christopher, Wanda, Tyrone Jr., Latisha, Aquisha, Christina, Chastity, Jennifer, Brandie, Kevin, Lamar, Thomas, Yolanda, Whitney, Andrew, Sara, and Benjamin. In addition, she was blessed with more than thirty great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Beyond her cherished family life, Gloria was also a dedicated professional. She worked for over twenty-five years with the NYC Board of Education, serving at Morris High School and later as an office administrative assistant at Samuel Gompers High School.

Throughout her life, Gloria was known for her deeply rooted faith, love of Christ, and devotion to reading the Holy Bible, which she held near and dear to her heart. Likewise, she was a devoted member and Usher at Bear Swamp Baptist Church in NC and a member at Greater Victory Baptist Church of Bronx, NY. There at Greater Victory Gloria was active in the Pastors Aid Club and The Willing Workers.  In 1985 Gloria was awarded with Mother of the Year Award, thereafter she became “Mother’ of the church.   Gospel music brought her great joy, especially Mahalia Jackson, and she enjoyed watching the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour. Her favorite television programs included All My Children and General Hospital. Most mornings, she could be found walking to McDonald’s for coffee and the Daily News newspaper. At holiday family gatherings, her cooking and storytelling always filled the room with warmth.