Gloria Jean Heath McDaniel passed away on March 7, at Hospice of Lake Cumberland.
Born in Alpine, Kentucky in 1940, she was the last living child of Bob and Leatha Heath. She is now reunited with her parents and siblings, along with her beloved husband of 57 years, William Robert. While she checked the obits regularly (one of the reasons we had the newspaper) she never much cared for them. She said they were too flowery.
Gloria was an amazing mother who will be missed until we are reunited in heaven. And we will be some day because she proudly raised two strong Christian children, Robin and Steve, who loved her dearly. Sacrificial is a word that comes to mind. She made sure her children had, even when it was their time to give back to her. It started many, many years ago when she went without her lunch in order to buy children’s books for her kids, which she then read to them religiously. I could fill the pages with all the wonderful things she did for her children and for others, but since she didn’t like flowery obits, I’ll move on.
One interesting fact about Gloria Jean – her older sister got to name her and she named her after an actress from the 1940’s and 50’s – Gloria Jean. It’s a fact. Look it up.
Now the most important thing that Gloria Jean Heath McDaniel would want in her “don’t make it flowery” obit. Please keep reading, especially if you’ve never met her wonderful God and beloved Savior Jesus Christ, whose presence she is now in.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). All of us.
And the payment for that sin is death but God’s gift through Jesus is eternal life (Rom 6:23).
So God showed how much He loves us (yes, you!) that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (yes, you!). Again, his gift to us is eternal life (Rom 6:23) with him, in his presence and with all our loved ones who knew him and have gone on.
But here’s the thing – you don’t get this gift just because you’re “a good person,” but if you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom 10:9-10).
Yes, my mom didn’t want a flowery obit but she’s okay with planting seeds. God loves her and he loves you (yes, you!). He stands at the door and knocks. He doesn’t care what you’ve done. Where you are, who you are. He loves you.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life (yes, you!) John 3:16.
If you don’t know him, meet him. Go find a Christian and talk to them. Go find a good church.
There are lots out there, no matter what the world would tell you. You can come to mine (Oak Hill Baptist). We love you, but not nearly as much as God does.
One last thing, in lieu of flowers, Gloria requests that you make donations to the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program at Somerset High School. This is a program that her daughter (well, me) runs and one that Mom loved and helped with many times. We discussed this and it is something that she wanted. Flowers are pretty, but growing students is amazing. Make checks payable to JAG Somerset, 301 College Street, Somerset, KY 42501.
Above all, “May the Lord Bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may He show you His favor and give you peace (Num. 6:24-26). He has done this for Gloria Jean Heath McDaniel. She is at peace.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 6pm-8pm in the Chapel of the Southern Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11am at the funeral home with Pastor Rob Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in Mill Springs National Cemetery. Southern Oaks Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Gloria Jean Heath McDaniel.