Gloria Joy Atwood Dorris

Gloria, one of ten children of Adelbert and Natalie Atwood, sister to surviving siblings James Atwood and Faith Altman, wife of Thomas Dorris, and mother to Leigh Price and John and Jason Dorris, grandmother to Willow, Nate, Jonah, Scott Thomas, Dylan, Liam, Gabriel, and Cassandra, died on September 17, at home in West Columbia, after a brief illness. She will be forever missed.

It is impossible to summarize all of the good Gloria put into the world. Her husband, Tommy, calls her "the best person I ever knew." Personally and professionally she cared for others. Gloria was judiciously commandeered by her sister, Bernice, into nursing. She explored many facets of the profession during her 53 years in healthcare with expertise in veteran's issues, public health, and community care and built Columbia's first Parish Nurse program from the ground up. A captain in the National Guard, she nursed wounded and dodged scud missiles in Kuwait, during Desert Storm.

Gloria was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She earned her masters degree while her three children were attending college. One of her favorite authors was Winston Churchill, whose words "we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" perfectly embodies Gloria's life (although she'd prefer to laugh over Winnie's "I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me" bourbon in hand). Gloria's "living" in nursing was fulfilling, but her "life" outside of it was the fullest. The importance of family and service was imprinted on her from her missionary family's earliest travels. The Atwoods were always there for each other. Gloria exemplified that care and brought it to the family she and Tommy created. Their marriage of 58 years was known to some as "the greatest love story of all time." Her children not only loved and admired her but enjoyed her company. When her contemporaries became grandparents Gloria was a little nonplused by their excitement. But from the moment her first grandchild, Willow, was born, and with each subsequent birth, she marveled at how much her joy expanded.

Since Gloria's death so many have reached out to share how much she meant to them. She often seemed to know when people needed something--a special treat, a bottle of wine, a bit of money, or a listening ear--and she provided. Gloria's life was not free of trial and sadness, even tragedy, but she had a moral clarity, strength of purpose, and a wry sense of humor which got us through. The loss of her presence is profound.

A graveside service will be held at her family cemetery, Scott's, Langdon Road, Aiken, SC at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 3rd. Upon return to Columbia, the family will be receiving friends at Tommy's home.

"damn few"