Gloria Berry (Henson)

March 19, 1950 - March 28, 2024

With great sorrow, the Henson and Berry families announce the unexpected passing of our kind, brave, caring and unimaginably generous wife, sister and friend, Gloria "Glo" Jeanne Henson (nee Berry) on March 28, 2024 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Her family is deeply saddened and shocked by her sudden death. She was only 74 years old. Gloria was born on March 19,1950 in Newark, Ohio to the late Henrietta Robertson Good. She attended Woodside, Central, and Newark High School in Ohio where she graduated in 1968. Shortly thereafter she headed to the bright lights of Hollywood, California where she joined her Aunt Mamie Robertson and sister Sheila. Gloria continued her education on the west coast and attended West Los Angeles College. Additionally, she completed a modeling course with John Robert Powers Modeling Agency and modeled briefly at the prestigious Bullocks Wilshire Tea Room. In 1975, at the Red Onion restaurant, Gloria met the love of her life, Edward "Ed" Henson. Ed was immediately smitten by her beautiful smile, sharp wit and classy style. The two married in 1978. In 1980 Ed joined Gloria in New York City where they initially established residence in Queens. Eventually they settled in the now trendy Chelsea neighborhood. As time went on they traded the grit and grime of the big city for the sunshine of the west coast and moved back to California. The couple landed in San Francisco for Ed's job and eventually found their footing in Los Angeles. Their marriage would last for the rest of Gloria's life. Gloria had many professions throughout her life. She began in banking, working for Security Pacific Bank and City National Bank, she then switched to the retail world and worked for Orhbach's. Orbach's appreciated her tenacity and strong work ethic and sent her to their executive training program as a buyer in New York. In 1999, Gloria fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened her own store inside of the Ketchum downtown YMCA. The store was called "Glo's Sports Stuff" and was a thriving business for 10 years. After closing the store, she worked part-time at Pantages Theatre, the Census Bureau and Hallmark Cards. Gloria's charitable endeavors included organizing silent auctions for the Peoples College of Law, PEN Center West, Ketchum YMCA and Jim Brown's Amer-I-Can Foundation. She proudly received a George H.W. Bush Points of Life Award in honor of her volunteer work at the YMCA. In her younger days, she took an active interest in current issues of the day which led her to work on political campaigns. However, mentoring young women of color was her passion. She enjoyed helping the young ladies find their footing in life and setting them on a path to achieve their dreams. Gloria was never afraid to take on new opportunities. She was admired by many for her drive and did everything with honesty and integrity. She had very strong values, held steadfast in her decisions, was organized and creative and was liked by everyone. Her heart was big and if she sensed a need, she would give the shirt off her back and do without. She was a brilliant out of the box thinker who loved life. Gloria enjoyed music; her favorite artists were Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Johnny Mathis and Barbra Streisand. Be it a restaurant or a store, Glo always knew where the hot spots were and which were trendy at the time. Soap operas and reality television were also among Gloria's favorite things; namely General Hospital and Survivor. Her love of travel once took her and sister Jeri to New York for a 3 day weekend. She traveled annually to the east coast with her husband Ed and sister Jeri to attend the Congressional Black Caucus week in Washington D.C. and visit Ed’s family in Baltimore, MD. In later years, accompanied by her mother, sister Jeri, and close family friend Debra Simmons, a trip to Paris, France fulfilled a lifelong dream. Gloria is survived and missed by her loving husband Ed of 46 years. Forever cherished and remembered by sisters Sheila Berry and Jeri Good, nephew Travis Berry, Aunt Edna May Bayless, Uncle Bob Bayless, first cousins Joe McMullens, Chuck McMullens, Ed Bayless, Alaine Bayless, and D'Arcy Nunn, sisters-in-law Joy Owens and Del Henson, brothers-in-law Dan Henson, Eric Henson and Brian Henson. Her memory will live on with many more family members and friends she made over the years. We lost a great lady and an incredible human being. She will be missed, but will never, ever be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gloria Berry Henson may be made to the Ketchum YMCA, c/o Carol Pfannkuche, Executive Director, 401 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

Cards can be sent to her sister, Jeri Good, 12 N. Park Place #201, Newark, Ohio  43055, or to Gloria's husband, Ed Henson, 1234 Wilshire Blvd #314, Los Angeles, CA  90017.