Gloria Elaine Austin Knighton, age 90, of Altamonte Springs, Florida, passed away on October 5, 2023.
She was born on February 22, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY. She was sole daughter with three brothers born of parents, Kenneth Aberdeen Thompson and Miriam Anderson Scantlebury-Thompson both from the beautiful island of Barbados.
Gloria is survived by her loving Brother Lloyd K. Thompson, their shared sister-in-law elder Mrs. Bonnie Thompson. Gloria’s daughters; Cherise Austin-De’Sota and Gina Marie Watson.
Granddaughter Patrice B. Straker(NY) and her spouse – Allan Stewart and children Jahari, Jahziah, Jade, and Kai. Granddaughter; Gabriele- Elan (FL). The “forever and eternally hers” children and grandchildren in the family include ; Ceciyla Glover, her spouse Kevin, and sons Misaiah and James(FL). Jerilyn Bryant (NY) and Weslie Bryant (WA) , Gail Walker and family(NY).
Gloria leaves behind devoted nieces, nephews ,cousins, and their family members: Renee Simpson with spouse John and son Jamal. Linda Alexander with spouse Rev. Johnnie and their sons Terrance Mills and his family, Raheim and wife Michiko, and daughter Zakia, her children Hope, Jackson and Zara.
Children and family members from the family of Franklin E. Thompson Jr. include; Richard Thompson and family , Myeshia Lynn Butler and son and Franklin E. Thompson III and family, Cedric Thompson family his daughters Brianna,Mia, Boni, and Braya their families, and children. Cousins from the family of Vera E. Thompson, Edward Brown, Leonard Brown, Elana Brown and Velvery Garner. Cousins from the family of Anthony Sackes and Michael Sackes. Additional related family members across the the USA and Barbados.
Gloria is preceded in death by : Gene Austin , October 1969 and Oscar Knighton Jr. March 1998.
Gloria was born in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Girls Commercial HS, in Prospect Heights Brooklyn, NY. She married her first husband Gene Austin, May of 1952.
At the start of her career, she worked a variety of Administrative clerical positions at The Bird S.Coler Hospital in NYC and the Internal Revenue Service . After raising her family,she returned to work at the NYC Board of Education as an Administrative assistant with the Alternative High Schools programs. She later retired from the Board of Education as the Executive Secretary to the Director of Labor Relations.
Upon retirement, Gloria moved to Altamonte Springs, Florida. She married Oscar Knighton Jr. in 1997.
Gloria was a beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin , friend, and confidante who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Our fun-loving, loquacious Gloria was a sharp-minded, critical thinker with a sly quick wit. She possessed a warm heart coupled with heaps of wisdom. Gloria liked sharing her thoughts with family and friends, always prepared to offer advice to those who sought her counsel. Gloria was an avid Basketball fan and TV spectator. During her younger years, she participated as a team player on a girl’s basketball team at P.S.35 called the “Jayettes.” She also enjoyed listening to music, she was a Jazz aficionado. She was eager to detail ingredients in cooking recipes. Gloria loved being an “official” wine taster and being involved in home entertainment happenings.
The details of Gloria’s Celebration of Life event will be announced later.