Gloria Rae Coppedge McPherson was born on July 4, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, her family returned to Harlem, New York, where they attended the renowned Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church. Gloria was deeply impressed not only by the regal Gothic Revival building that housed its 2,000 members, but also by the powerful pastoral leadership and deeply reverent musical tradition of the church. Worship music centered around the disciplined vocals of the Senior Choir and the majestic pipe organ, played by highly trained classical organists.

Impacted profoundly by these formative childhood experiences, Gloria began exhibiting remarkable musical abilities at an early age. Encouraged by her parents and, at times, sponsored by the church, she began classical piano instruction and was already serving as a church musician as a young teenager, beginning a ministry that would span nearly eight decades.

A gifted pianist, organist, vocalist, choir director, and music director, Gloria faithfully shared her musical talents in churches across several states throughout her lifetime. She studied music at Manhattanville University and Sarah Lawrence College in New York, earning a Bachelor of Music degree at the conservatory level. After relocating to Virginia, she served as a teacher with Richmond Public Schools and later as a substitute teacher in Prince Edward County.

Among her many accomplishments were performing at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, singing at Carnegie Hall, establishing her own piano studio for group lessons, and founding the Cherub Choir at Mount Vernon SDA Church, where she taught children to sing in harmony and foreign languages.

Beyond music, Gloria was a woman of extraordinary talents and interests. She was a skilled bookkeeper, mathematician, artist, seamstress, upholsterer, and craftswoman. She enjoyed gardening, created beautiful living spaces, and embraced a vegetarian lifestyle decades before it became popular. Adventurous and fiercely independent, Gloria created lasting memories for her children through exposure to the arts, cultural exploration, outdoor activities, and family camping trips.

Above all, Gloria loved the Lord. Baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church at age 12, she later became one of the founding members of Mount Vernon SDA Church. She remained a devoted student of Scripture, a prayer warrior, and a faithful witness for Christ all her life. Through her “Coming Again Ministry,” she created and distributed Bible study lessons, passionately continuing missionary outreach until closing her eyes in Jesus, on May 28, 2026.

Gloria was preceded in death by her dear parents, Ruth Jackson Conners and Joseph N. Coppedge; her beloved son, Kevin Anderson “Xavian” McPherson; her brothers, David Coppedge and Joseph “George” Coppedge Jr.; and her granddaughter, Shannon “Nikki” Green.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Vallie Anderson, Yvette Crowell (Michael), and Paul McPherson (Penny); loving grandchildren Andrew Hemming (Noreen); Robert “Bobby” Green III (Shaeleena); Kelcey Settle; Tarah Weston; Paul McPherson Jr.; Chloe Settle; Phillip McPherson; Cherie Settle; Carly Scott; and Mattea Anderson; 14 great-grandchildren; extended family members; church family; friends; and all whose lives were touched by her faith, wisdom, love, and music.

Gloria’s life was marked by faithfulness, perseverance, service, and devotion to God. Her legacy lives on through the family she nurtured, the music she shared, and the unwavering faith she exemplified.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

— Matthew 25:23