Gloria Sue Sperry's Obituary
Gloria Sue (Ellis) Sperry was born August 22,1940 to Claud and Fern (Hall) Ellis in McDonald County, Missouri. She married James Galen Sperry on December 28,1958, in First Baptist Church, Joplin, MO and died June 29, 2026, at the age of 85.
Gloria had two children, Douglas Lee and James Brent. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and son Doug.
She is survived by her son, Brent and wife Janice Sperry of Rogers, AR; Jane Sperry (daughter-in-law) of Rogers, AR and grandchildren: Bradley (Christiana) Sperry of Pea Ridge, AR; Michael (Jennifer) Sperry of Cave Springs, AR; Stephen (Chelsey) Sperry of Bentonville, AR; Rebecca (Hunter) Cochran of Astoria, NY; Jacob (Julie) Sperry of Loveland, CO; Elizabeth Sperry of St. Louis, MO; Patrick Sperry of Rogers, AR and Kara Sperry of Fayetteville, AR. Her great grandchildren: Harper, Hadley, Mason, Addison, Gabriel, William, Logan Sperry and Soren and Jude Cochran. As well as David (Carolyn) Sperry of Florida, Miriam Clemmons of Florida, Susan (Shain) Humphrey of Omaha, Nebraska, Kathryn Baker of Utah, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Gloria attended school at McDonald Country Consolidated, Washburn Elementary, and South Junior High after moving to Joplin at age 10. Forever an overachiever with high standards, she graduated Joplin Senior High in 1957 at age 16 and graduated Missouri Southern State College with BS in Secondary Education with Major in Business in 1971. She received a master’s degree in Secondary Education in 1976 from Pittsburg University in Pittsburgh, Kansas.
Gloria taught Vocational Business Education at Joplin Technical School and Webb City High School. She moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1987 with Jim and continued to teach at high schools and college. She taught for over 20 years and enjoyed every class.
While in Charlotte, she was the secretarial assistant to the Vice President of First Federal before moving to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 1995. She took another secretarial assistant position to the Vice President for Greenfield Industries and retired in 2020, although she kept up her shorthand after that.
Gloria and Jim were very active in the American Legion in Bella Vista for many years. Gloria served as president of the American Legion Auxiliary for three terms as well as District President for two terms. She was Recording Secretary for the Veterans Council of NWA for eight years. Gloria prepared names to be placed on Wall of Honor and developed its name directory. If you haven’t visited the Wall of Honor in Bella Vista, it’s worth the trip.
Gloria and Jim traveled a lot over the years and enjoyed each new adventure. They took cruises, traveled with Boy Scouts and spent many trips visiting grandchildren for holidays, birthdays, and graduations. Ask her grandchildren about their favorite car ride or trip with her; they all shared many wonderful memories together.
As Fern got older and later Jim became ill, Gloria became their caregiver. She was thankful for help from her son Brent and daughter-in-law Janice. She later died in her sleep at Circle of Life in Bentonville from complications from lung cancer.
Gloria loved her family and friends fiercely and made time for them over and over again. She also enjoyed beating you at cards, fishing, reading, horses, dogs, and country music. She never shied away from telling you what she thought with a witty comment or sly burn. Somehow it was her way of loving you. We will miss her dearly.
Services will be held at Nelson Berna Funeral Home on Thursday, July 2. Visitation at 9:00 am, funeral service at 10:00 am, and graveside ceremony at 11:15 am at Roller Cemetery in Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Roller Cemetery. Gloria cared for her family through the restoration and upkeep of this cemetery, and she’d be pleased to know it lasted beyond her. Checks can be made to Roller Cemetery and given to Brent or Rebecca Sperry.
Thank you for joining us to remember Gloria.
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