Gloria Jean Smith

"You'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart."

Gloria Jean Rogers Smith left this life on Sunday, August 30, 2026. She was born December 7, 1948, to Donald Rogers and Mary Jane (Segur) Lannen, both of whom passed before her.

She attended Waite High School as a member of the class of 1966. She worked many years at Dunkin' Donuts, starting out as a waitress and quickly moving into management positions. After putting her daughter through college, she earned her GED and her EMT license. She ended her career working in Environmental Services at Toledo Hospital.

Gloria was quietly artistic, fiercely independent, and the first one people turned to for help and understanding, be it a job, a place to stay to get back on their feet, or true and honest advice to find their own strength. She loved music and dancing and sitting in a beach chair on the edge of the ocean. She loved her many "girl trips" and adventuring with her daughter and niece Cheryl, and was delighted to be the first one to take her granddaughters to Disney World when they were younger. The lights of Vegas called her name many times. But, Gloria loved her family most of all.

In 2006, she married Bill Smith, and the two of them shared their love of traveling and family time, visiting places like Mexico, Germany, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Summer weekends were for camping and making memories with family. The two of them shared 15 years of marriage before his passing, but they had been friends for most of their lives. Together, they were quite the couple. Gloria was most proud of her daughter, Kim, granddaughters Ariel and Kaylah, and her great-grandson, Cade. She adored the little boy who called her Gigi and made her laugh with his cool dance moves. They all were her greatest joy and the reason she smiled the most. Every day she spent with her grandkids was a day she held close to her heart, and she never missed a chance to tell them, "I love you more."

Gloria is survived by her daughter Kim (John) DeMarco; grandchildren Ariel (Jordan) Fleitz and Kaylah Duling; great grandson, Cade; Goddaughter Cheryl Ramon; step-children Dawn Collao, Bill Smith, Jr., and John Smith and their families; sisters Maria Jones, Vicki Clark, Micki Smith, and brothers Don, Jim, and Paul Rogers; many in-laws whom she loved deeply; and special friends Christine Armenio and Sandy Montalvo.

In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her siblings Diana Clark, Debbie Ulrich, Shirley Study, and Anthony Rogers; parents-in-law Marion and Betty Smith; and stepfather Mike Lannen.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 8, from 2 - 7 at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 West Sylvania Avenue. There will be a simple memorial service at 7:00 with a private final graveside service at a later date.

Please consider donations to the American Lung Association in lieu of flowers.

The family would also like to thank Ohio Living for the hospice services they provided for Gloria. Nurse Connie was the truest of blessings as we faced the final days of Gloria's life. We will forever be grateful for the love and compassion from her and everyone involved in Gloria's care.