Gloria Welker

Gloria Ann Welker, 88, of Jackson is now resting in the arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. She passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Oct. 24, 1935, in Cape Girardeau to William R. and Bernice M. Sackrey Jackson. She and Leo W. “Red” Welker were married Dec. 23, 1950, at Maple Avenue Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. They had been married 66 years when Red passed away April 10, 2017.

Gloria was a longtime faithful member of Cape First Church.

She was employed at Woolworths Five-and-Dime and Storey’s Food Giant.

In addition to spending time with her grandchildren, Gloria enjoyed playing cards, word-search puzzles, taking rides with her son on his Harley-Davidson bike and sharing fun times with her besties, Becky Illers, Thyra Bernice Messmer and Helen Holand.

To cherish her memory, Gloria leaves two children, Keith (Sue Zan) Welker of Millersville and Debbie (David) Fiorini of Fruitland; grandchildren, Daryll (Billy) Franchi, Weston (Candice) Faller, Kody (Shae) Welker, Dakota (Cody) Cardwell, David (Melinda) Fiorini and Diana (Charlie) Beardsley; and great-grandchildren, Will and Luca Franchi, Maggie Keith, Krew, Nash and Mac Welker and Harrison and Samuel Cardwell.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a granddaughter, Jerrica Houchins; and a brother, Bill (Betty) Jackson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Rev. Mitch Jackson will conduct the funeral at 10 a.m. Friday, May 31, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Old Salem Cemetery near Millersville.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Old Salem Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Gloria’s obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.