Gloria Jean Sumter

Gloria Sumter, 80, of Vancleave, MS passed away on September 23, 2025. She was born and raised on the MS Coast, attended college at LSU and nursing school at Providence. While at LSU she met and married her best friend and soul mate, and they spent 54 years living life to the “max” at Cruisin’ the Coast in their 1993 Maxton Rollerskate.

Gloria was a devout Catholic who shared her love of music with her community at Holy Spirit Catholic Church by volunteering as Music Director for over 35 years. She also loved the outdoors, spending countless hours working in her flower beds and garden.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Leonard Sumter, Jr.; her parents, Maurice G. Champagne and Mae (Bell) Champagne; and her sister, Pamela Champagne-McKay.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Shalene Sumter; her grandsons, Jacob Ryall and Alex Ryall; her sister, Helen Sherry; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Gloria requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a Veteran’s charity of your choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Vancleave with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gloria Sumter.