On March 12, 1959, Inelle Tempson brought Gloria Jean into the world. She was born in the small community of Blakely, Georgia, and enjoyed growing up there with her three sisters and two brothers. She studied and earned her certification as a Nurse’s Aide. She also worked other jobs, including serving the public at Jupiter Hilton Hotel in Jupiter, Florida.
She loved much in life and was loved as well. With her first husband, Emmitt Tatum, Sr., she bore her firstborn son, Emmitt Tatum, Jr. She later married Brad Parchment and two children were born to this union, Bradwell and Tiffany Parchment. After his passing, she found love again and married Petwell Cunningham.
While in Florida, she was a member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. When she moved to Amarillo to join her son, she placed her membership at Pentecostal Temple under the leadership of Pastor Elijah B. Demerson. It was here that God used her in His service. She attended Bible Band, and Christian Women’s Council, but she felt the call of the Lord to serve on the Usher Board and in the Choir.
In Amarillo, she found employment with Walmart and filled her time with church, family and bingo. One of her greatest accomplishments, with the help of the Lord, was beating cancer in 2009.
Those who preceded her in death included parents; two brothers, Walter Tempson and Odell Tempson; and a daughter, Tiffany Parchment.
Those remaining to remember her and celebrate her life are two sons, Emmitt Tatum, Jr., Bradwell Parchment; three grandsons, Tyree, Emytt and Jaycion Tatump; three sisters, Cora Bell, Wilma Jean Tempson and Willie Pearl Tatum, and several extended family members, both natural and church families.
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