Obituary of Gloria Diane Leachman

Gloria Diane Jones Leachman passed from life into eternity from Shreveport, LA on Monday, December 23, 2024.  

Gloria Diane Jones was born on September 22, 1948, to George W. Jones Jr. and Madessa Gafford. Like her siblings before her, she was born at the home of her grandparents, Tobie and Rachel Gafford, in the Pleasant Hill Community of Spearsville, LA. Gloria excelled academically and graduated from Westside High School in Lillie, LA, in 1966. During her senior year, she served as her class’s secretary, and her classmates voted her Miss Westside High School. Gloria was also the top-ranked student in her class and delivered a valedictory speech entitled, “Your Future – A Big Responsibility.”

She received a full scholarship to Spelman College but chose to attend Grambling State University. While attending, she became active in the Civil Rights Movement and eventually moved to Chicago, IL. There, Gloria met Thomas Earl Leachman. They were married in 1970 and eventually relocated to Louisiana, where they raised their six children.

Gloria joined New Hopewell Baptist Church and worked diligently with the youth department until she and Thomas moved to Arcadia, LA. She was a strong believer in leaving people better than you found them. She spent much of her time throughout her life educating, guiding, and caring for her family, friends, and many others she encountered.

In 1976, she began working at Commercial Union in Ruston, LA. She worked there for 27 years, until the company closed in 2003. There, she made lasting friendships, a reflection of the genuine person Gloria was. Those friendships remained intact until her passing. Never one to sit around, after her retirement from Commercial Union, Gloria decided she wanted to help others learn to invest financially. She passed her state licensing exams and became an agent with Ozark National Life/N.I.S. Financial Services, an asset management firm. In this role, she advised others about retirement and educated them about the importance of having life insurance.

A blessing to many, she leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of fifty-four years, Thomas Leachman of Arcadia, LA; six children, Tammy Fields (Leslie), of Farmerville, LA, Anthony Leachman (Donyelle) of Humble, TX, Adrianne Ransom (Quillar), of Raymond, CA, Steven Leachman (Michelle) of Arcadia, LA, Jason Leachman (Kiera), of Bossier, LA, and Kacey Rodgers (Darnerio) of Arcadia, LA. She also leaves behind two sisters whom she loved dearly, Vivan Earl of Chicago, IL and Iris Jones of Bossier, LA.

Gloria will also be missed by twenty-eight grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren; a host of family members, friends, and others whose lives she made better from her beautiful presence.