At the age of 78, Gloria Ann Henslee Thompson departed from her earthly life in Huntsville, Alabama for her heavenly home with Jesus on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. She was born to W.W. "Doc" and Lee Henslee on February 1, 1942 in Dallas, Texas.

Gloria loved growing up in the Oak Cliff area before finishing her high school years in Lancaster, Texas. She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1960 with academic honors and many achievements. She married her high school sweetheart, James A. Thompson, in 1960. Together, they had 2 children: Paula and Wyth. Gloria was devoted to giving her children a loving and nurturing home life rich in the arts, education, faith, and family connections. She inspired Paula and Wyth to pursue their dreams, always affirming her love and acceptance of them just as God had designed them to be. She was actively involved in their school PTA. She collaborated with other parents and crafted a script for the school's talent show with the theme, "Listen to the Children of the Space Age."

While balancing family and work life, Gloria worked as an executive administrative assistant for companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Texas A&M Extension Center, and Sun Oil Company. She was still writing notes in shorthand well into her seventies! Gloria was active for many years in the Dallas/Richardson Republican Women's Club, working on campaigns and demonstrating to her children how to make a difference.

She was inspirational, fiery and had great imagination along with an inherited gift for storytelling. Gloria had a natural ability for music, singing and performing as a soprano from high school to multiple church choirs into her sixties. Gloria inherited her mother and grandmother's talent for sewing, effortlessly creating clothing and keepsakes for many decades. Later in life she moved to be with her daughter's family in Temple, Texas then to Huntsville, Alabama, enabling her to fully enjoy her grandchildren's childhoods. She continued to be involved in local churches, demonstrating the importance of a Christ centered life to her grandchildren.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Doc and Lee, as well as her former spouse, James. She is survived by her daughter Paula Haider (Mike) of Huntsville, Alabama, son Wyth Thompson of Boston, Massachusetts as well as her treasured grandchildren Ava Haider and Luke Haider. She is also survived by sisters Cindy (Robert) Stamps of Richardson, Texas, and Lana Filgo of Lancaster, Texas as well as brother, Dr. Walter (Judy) Henslee of McDade, Texas along with many nieces and nephews that she adored.

Gloria's Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, February 8, 2020 at Byrum Funeral Home in Lancaster, Texas. Out of concern for everyone's safety during the current pandemic, only family members will be attending in person. Please join us safely via live stream through the provided link. Graveside services subsequently at Edgewood Cemetery in Lancaster.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The National Adrenal Diseases Foundation (NADF) http://www.nadf.us/ or a cancer research fund of your choice, since Gloria was a breast cancer survivor.