Gloria Anita (Russell) Light

Gloria Anita Light was born April 8, 1938, in Pattison Mississippi to John and Bessie Russell (née Burris).  After her parents divorced, Bessie moved her family initially to Lima, Ohio when Gloria was 7.  They eventually settled in Toledo where Gloria attended Jones Junior High. In 1956, she graduated from Libbey High School.

After graduation, Gloria received certification from Stautzenberger Secretarial School and began work as a telephone operator at Ohio Bell in 1957. March of 1958, she married Edgar L. Cross and worked for Ohio Bell until 1966.  

In September of 1963, Gloria married Roderick B. Johnson. Also, that same year, she began studying the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized as a member of the Central Congregation in 1965.

During the 60s, Gloria was a homemaker, an employee at Hunt’s Tomato Processing Plant, the USPS and the Toledo Zoo. 

In 1970, Gloria began working at Owens-Illinois as a switchboard operator.  She continued working at OI, taking early retirement in 1985. In 1986, Gloria began working as a 911 Communications Operator.  In April 1992, Gloria married Charles “Lee” Light.  Gloria resigned from 911 in 1993/94.

Gloria enjoyed entertaining, singing, collecting recipes, lighthouses, elephants and gardening.

Gloria, age 87, passed away peacefully in her home on the 31st day of October.

Gloria was preceded in death by her father Johnnie C. Russell (1986), stepmother Maggie V. Russell (1990), husband Charles “Lee” Light (2002), mother Bessie Maddox (2004), brother Johnnie E. “Buster” Russell (2010), sister-in-law Easter Russell (2015) and nephew Marcos Russell (2020).

Gloria leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Jason K. Johnson, Daphne C. Johnson, and Terri-Lynn Cross, grand-daughter Monee Johnson, nephew Ephraim Russell and niece Jacqueline Russell.  A host of cousins and many, many friends who will miss her but have the hope of seeing her in Paradise again as Jehovah has promised.

Thank you to Leslie White and Kristina Vahoski of Heartland Hospice. Thank you to caregivers Jewel Lynn Washington and Natasha Mays.

Gloria requested no funeral or memorial services. Cremation arrangements by Habegger Funeral Services.

Habegger Funeral Services is honored to serve the Russell family. We encourage you to share a fond memory or condolence by visiting www.habeggerfuneralservices.com

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