Gloria Reynolds Oakes
Gloria Reynolds Oakes of Andersonville, Tennessee, reunited with the love of her life in the presence of the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. She was born April 12, 1941, to the late George and Georgia Reynolds. Gloria lived to accomplish many goals in Christ. She was a beloved member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School director, and director of discipleship training.
She retired from the Y-12 National Security Complex, where she worked in administration, and spent her free time instructing CPR, gardening, quilting, traveling, camping, entertaining, and watching University of Tennessee sports.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Oakes, whom she met at 16 while working at Norris Drug Store. She was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Gelna Beaty, Sue Tate, and Darrell Reynolds; and her grandson Hunter Oakes.
Gloria married Carl Oakes of Andersonville in 1960, and they raised two surviving children: Paul Oakes of Andersonville and Lea Oakes-Martinez of Kingston. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ashley (Chad) Chuako of Knoxville, Chad Loy of Andersonville, Kendra (Nate) Coon of Kingston, Vincent Oakes of Knoxville, Jacob Oakes of Florida, and Helena McGilvery of Knoxville. Gloria’s grandchildren blessed her with eight great-grandchildren: Bryton, Kaedynce, Rhiannon, Maggie, Tucker, Karli, Carter, and Tanner. She is also survived by her sister Linda (Cecil) Hopson of Arizona.
The family received friends on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with the funeral following at 6 p.m. in the chapel. Family and friends met Monday at 10:30 a.m. for the funeral procession to Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery for an 11 a.m. interment. Pallbearers were Chad Loy, Vincent Oakes, Jacob Oakes, Chad Chuako, Nate Coon, Bryton Loy, and JD Oakes.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is handling arrangements. holleygamble.com