Gloria Ann Pittman was called home to heaven in a peaceful sleep during the early morning hours of Thursday, May 11, 2023. Devotion to her family and her strong belief in God supported her for a lifetime of happiness, ups & downs and health struggles. Born January 2, 1944. Gloria was the third of nine children to the late Mildred and William L Vernon.
Gloria was educated in Norfolk Public Schools. She was a proud 1963 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. She was a member of the choir, a color guard for the BTW Marching Band and loved to play tennis with her sister Carolyn. They were the unstoppable “Vernon Girls” that no one could beat. Her younger siblings Pam, Yvonne and Grayson also carried the family name in tennis. After high school, she attended Norfolk State College (University) and received her Associates Degree in Tailoring. Gloria was gifted at tailoring and often used her little brother, Trent, as her model. She made Trent the best dressed kid in school with his custom clothing. Her brother Larry was also high fashion and would drop all of his clothes by the house for her to be altered. She scored a job tailoring at the exclusive Toppers Men’s Shop at Southern Shopping Center in Norfolk. While there she crafted men’s wear for the Hampton Roads elite including NBA legend, Dr. J and his teammates on the Virginia Squires Basketball Team. At a young age Gloria was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church on Armstrong Street in Norfolk. She later became a member of Bank Street Church on Chesapeake Blvd. and later Calvary Revival Church. At a party with best friend Pat Johnson. she met her future husband, Cornelius Francis “Frank” Pittman. They later married and from this union, she birthed her son, Cornelius. Cornelius “Mann” was her heart, but she was a mother to many. She often fed all Mann’s friends in the St. Andrews neighborhood and anyone who she cared about. She became a housewife a babysitter and later worked for Norfolk Public Schools as a cafeteria worker and crossing guard. She cared for her friends and family deeply. For years, she often watched her nieces and nephews like they were her own kids. Her niece Tiffany and nephew Malcolm were her babies. She was known for her corn pudding and her fried cabbage at all the family functions. She always talked about her love of fried crabs and seafood. She loved shopping with her sisters every Saturday. She was a little adventurous and loved going on trips with her friends and family. She traveled from Norfolk to North Carolina, Maryland, Detroit, New Jersey, Florida, and even Las Vegas. She loved catching the bus with her friend Tanza to go on casino trips.
Gloria is predeceased by her parents, William L. and Mildred A. Vernon, husband, Cornelius Francis “Frank” Pittman, brothers, William L. Vernon Jr. and Larry Vernon, in-laws, Charles H. and Grace H. Pittman and brother-in law, Charles H. Pittman, Jr.
Gloria leaves to cherish her memory her only son, Cornelius D. Pittman (Marcia) of Norfolk, VA; sisters, Rosalyn “Dottie” Bell (Gene) of Virginia Beach, VA; Carolyn Vernon of Norfolk, VA; Delores “Yvonne” Banks (Willie) of Knoxville, TN; Pamela Green (Ronald) of Norfolk, VA; brothers, Grayson Vernon (Sondra) of Portsmouth, VA; Trent Vernon (Sharon) of Calverton, MD, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
We celebrate Gloria’s home going with humility and love.
Rest in peace and ride into heaven in your red car!
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