Gloria Gertrude (Wilson) Hurst

Gloria Gertrude Wilson Hurst

Born:  April 30, 1929              Died:  July 17, 2022

Gloria Wilson Hurst was born April 30, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois.  Her parents were Verlon and Vera Wilson.  She spent the summers of her youth in Oklahoma, as this was her Mom’s State.  It was here that she was exposed to her extensive Native American Heritage and the lifestyle of Mcalester and Muskogee, Oklahoma. 

Her Mom, Vera was a member of the Cherokee/Creek Tribes and can trace her ancestry back to the Trail of Tears in the 1830’s as part of the Indian Relocation Act.  Her Mom was the consummate “lady” having attended boarding school and though raised in the farmlands of Oklahoma, was more in her setting in a city lifestyle.

Her Father, Verlon, was a true ‘Renaissance Man,” known as a man of many interests.  Among his many interests was the acoustic guitar.  He was self-taught, and became so proficient with this instrument that he would perform with many of the numerous bands throughout the various Clubs in Chicago.  He was also proficient in many languages, which he learned in his various travels.

Gloria was the Apple of her Dad’s eye as can be seen in any of the many photos in which they are seen together.

Gloria inherited her refinement from her Boarding-School Mom and her pursuit of varied interests from her Dad.  Gloria also inherited her interests and innate skills with music from her Dad.  Gloria played the trombone, piano and organ.  She was proficient with each of these instruments, and as you will see below, she was interested in any number of activities.  She was also a very good singer and dancer.  Her sisters were musically inclined as well as they danced in many of the Clubs throughout Chicago.

Gloria attended Lucy Flower Technical High School, where she was very popular and participated in various Clubs and served on numerous committees.

In the October 1, 1945 issue of “The Flower Echo,” the school newspaper, Gloria was the “Girl of the Month.”  In the article, she mentioned the following:

In the Orchestra she plaed trombone, because it looked like it would be fun to play.
Likes popular and classical music; “Polonaise” by Chopin, was her favorite composer.
Gregory Peck, tops as an actor
Skip Farrell a singer from Illinois who became the announcer of the Tennessee Ernie Ford show,” sure can sing.”
Loves any kind of Chinese food
Loves to draw, travel and write short stories
Planned on majoring in the Romance Languages
She was chosen as “Sweetheart” of a Great Lakes basketball team during the summer of 1945.
She was a Member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, Member of Tri-Hi-Y and Alpha Beta Gamma
Loves roller skating and walking in the rain

Gloria was elected President of the Orchestra as they prepared for the Spring Festival.

In the June 27, 1946 issue of The Flower Echo, Gloria was listed as exemplary for her Dancing Ability.

On June 28, 1946 Gloria was one of 123 students who graduated from Lucy Flower Technical High.  Her final year at Flower Technical High School, Gloria received Awards for Orchestra and Student Council.

Gloria sang and danced with the other ladies in the Swing Time Follies of 1946 for the Camp Fire Girls Show Monday July 8, 1946 at 8:15pm at the DuSable High School Auditorium.

After High School she married Royal O Hurst Jr., and they were married June 19, 1947 for 72 years as Royal passed away in March, 2019.

Gloria continued her pursuit of music by continuing to play the piano and organ.  She was also able to pursue her interests in reading when she became a librarian in Illinois, where she was especially proud of introducing many different authors to the minds of the young and the old.

As mentioned earlier, Gloria’s Mom was a member of the Cherokee and Creek Tribes.  Gloria’s ancestors were prominent in both Tribes and some of their pictures hang proudly in the Native American Museum in Oklahoma.  In addition, there are two books which trace her ancestors’ history and travels from their native land to the Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma.  They are, “Trails of Tears,” by Tiya Miles.and “lllllllll”.

Gloria and Royal moved to Pueblo in the early 1990’s, to be closer to their two sons, Royal the third, known as Butch, and their oldest son, Verlon Michael, known as Mike.   While in Pueblo, Gloria joined the “Daughters of Mary,” and became a Docent for Sangre de Cristo Museum.  While there she would sit on the giant stuffed bear in the facility and  read to the children, encouraging creativity and adventures.

Gloria leaves a daughter, Michelle Elizabeth, a son, Verlon Michael, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.