Reverend Gloria J. (Mccloe) Watson

Reverend Gloria Jean (McCloe) Watson, 77, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully at her home on January 30, 2025. She was surrounded by her loved ones. Born on February 18, 1947, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Vernon McCloe, Sr. and Ida Mae (Flakes) McCloe. After obtaining her GED, Gloria went on to further her education at King’s College, where she received her associate’s degree. After graduating from King’s College, she went on to work for the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority. While working for Redevelopment Authority she was actively involved in assisting county residents during Hurricane Agnes and the flood of 1972. After leaving the Redevelopment Authority she worked for the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO). She then went on to work for and retired from UGI Utilities in their customer service department. After retiring, Gloria still wanted to stay active, so she worked at the Luzerne County Head Start in the Grandparents Program. She then became a student aide in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Gloria had a strong love for children, and in addition to being a school aide, she served as a foster parent from 1983-2018 where she fostered nearly 200 children throughout her 35 years. Gloria was a woman of deep and devoted faith. In 2001, Gloria became a Minister and was ordained at Shiloh Baptist Church in Scranton by Bishop Wallace E. Smith, and in 2003, she received the title of Interim Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church. After leaving Shiloh Baptist Church, she became the Interim Pastor at The First Baptist Church, River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Gloria then joined New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church where she was very active in their youth program. In addition, Gloria was the Past Worthy Matron of Mizpah Charlotte Scott #104, Past District Lecturer, 9 th O.E.S District and before her illness she served as Chaplain of Deborah Grand Chapter, O.E.S., P.H.A., PA. Throughout her years, Gloria was a community leader for the Negro Woman’s Community League and was involved in the Wilkes-Barre Chapter of the NAACP. In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by son, Leonard Brian Hoyle; brothers, Arlington McCloe and Vernon McCloe, Jr.; and sisters, Beverly Golden and Elizabeth Anderson. Surviving to cherish Gloria’s memory is her loving husband of 57 years, JD Watson, Wilkes-Barre; son, Fleming Douglas Hoyle (Colleen), Harrisburg; daughters, Carla Yvonne Flippen (Edward), York, and Janice Dee Watson-Holmes and companion Eric, Wilkes-Barre; God Children, Doretta Jackson (Gary) and Chariss Gilliom; sisters, Arlene McCloe, Brenda Seabrook, Linda Gilliom (Charles), Carol Golden (Will); and Valerie McCloe; brothers, Everett McCloe and Maurice McCloe; grandchildren, Jon Emanuel, DeJuan Harris, Gloria Watson Fergusson (Nathaniel), Jordan Watson, Brian Hoyle, Edward Flippen III, James Drue Holmes, Jamese Drew Holmes and Brianna Hoyle. Great grandchildren, Dominique, Aiden, Skyla, Tenaya, DeJuan Jr, Zariah, Natalie,

Melanie, Jamison, Dominique, Genesis and Jamin. In-laws, Will Curry (Sandra), Richard “Moon” Curry, Elizabeth McGown, Susie Connor (Paul), Teresa Stone (Jimmy); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be held on February 8th at 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church, 780 S. Main Street Wilkes-Barre. A Homegoing Service will follow the visitation, starting at 11:00 AM with Reverend Theresa Smith officiating. Interment will be at Oaklawn cemetery immediately following the service. Online condolences can be left at KniffenFuneralHome.com. Services have been entrusted to Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, Wilkes-Barre.