Gloria Mae Wainright
Willards
Gloria Mae Wainright of Willards passed away August 26, 2025, at the age of 93.
Gloria was born in Powellville and was the daughter of the late Arthur W. and Flora E. Davis.
Gloria graduated valedictorian of the 1950 graduating class of Pittsville High School and continued her education by attending Salisbury Institute for Business in 1951. She started at The Farmers Bank of Willards on July 13, 1952 as a teller and advancing through the years to assistant cashier, assistant VP, VP, and finally retiring in 2001 as a Director. She was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Farmers Bank of Willards in 2000. She participated in the Farmers Bank of Willards Bowling League until adopting son, Wayne in 1970.
Gloria was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church from the age of 4 until becoming a member of the Eden United Methodist Church in Willards. Gloria was a singer with the Eden Church Trio with Dottie Gurley and Mattie Lee Hildreth where they sang at local minstrel shows and church home comings. They once performed at the Lions International Conference in Atlantic City, NJ.
She also played piano in the Willards Dixieland Band with Aubrey Davis, Jim Hildreth, Harry Wilkins and Eschol Adkins performing for church and community functions and other local gigs. Gloria played the piano for many local weddings in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Gloria was married to William (Whitey) F. Gordy on September 14, 1951.
Gloria was a 35 year active member of the Willards Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and held various positions as Treasurer and President in the Ladies Auxiliary. She was the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer in 1983 for the Wicomico County Fireman’s Association.
She was active in the Pittsville Band Boosters in early 80’s when Wayne was in Middle School.
Gloria was in the Willards Lioness Club from the time it was chartered until it folded. She continued to work functions and bingo as member’s wife (Whitey and Tommy). She was awarded the Lions Club “Good Neighbor Award” on November 16, 1988 for Outstanding Community Service.
She was a member of the Willards Homemaker’s Club that was formed in 1952. Gloria was a member of the Wicomico County Recreation Commission from 1977-1981.
Gloria married Joshua Thomas (Tommy) Wainright on April 4, 1987. Tommy was her closest friend and showed her great respect and love from day one. They enjoyed Nascar races, taking day trips together and attending antique car shows with the Grand National, winning many awards.
Two of her favorite quotes: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” (George Washington Carver) and “Treat others as you would want to be treated” has been Gloria’s guiding principle.
She is survived by her step-children Cynthia Kimball and late husband Steven of Bear, DE, Linda Stamp of Salisbury; Joshua T. Wainright II of Hockessin, DE, and Nancy Ennis and husband Chuck of Parsonsburg; grandchildren William White and wife Maddie, Leigh Smith and wife Jen, Brittney Parsons and husband Joey, Katya Wainright, Anton Wainright and wife Alicia, Alyessa Ryan and husband Corey, Alex Kimball and wife Hillary, Kyra Kimball Wilhelm and husband Alex. “Honorary” granddaughter Danielle Davis Eichhorn (Greg). Great-grandchildren Lennex White, Gabriel White, Joel White, Reid White, Ashley Tyler, Evan Tyler, Skyler Parsons, Conner Parsons, Emma Kimball, Jack Kimball, Bailey Wilhelm, Ada Wilhelm, Nikolaé (Niko) Ryan, Olive Hilton and “Honorary” great-grandchildren Ethen Eichhorn and Sadie Eichhorn.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, William (Whitey) F. Gordy in July 1981, second husband, Tommy Wainright in January 2018, her son, Wayne Davis Gordy in June 1990 and step-grandson, Kolya Nikolaé Wainright in 2008. Step-siblings Virginia Davis Miller, John Everett Davis, and Vaughn Hall Davis.
Thank you to all her caregivers, namely Tammy, Jennie, Betty, Danielle, Margaret, Ginger, Michelle, Courtney, Joyce, Ann, Bonnie, and Pat.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Bishop-Hastings Funeral Home, 19 South Main Street in Selbyville with a viewing from 10am to 11am. Services will be conducted by Allen “Buck” Burton. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Libertytown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org or 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, Tenn. 38105), New Hope United Methodist Church 7348 New Hope Rd, Willards, Md. 21874, or Eden United Methodist Church, 7283 Main St, Willards, Md. 21874.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com