Gloria Jenell Milam

Gloria Jenell Milam, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on October 12, 2024. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria lived a life of faith, love, and Christian charity. 

She was married to her beloved husband, Norman Floyd Milam, for 57 and a half years, until he was called home on March 11, 2009. Gloria was born to Vivian and Gordon Dixon in Murray, Texas, on February 26, 1936. 

She was known as one of the sweetest women in Crane. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren affectionately called her “Nonie,” a term of endearment also used by countless children and young adults throughout the Crane community. Gloria was an avid maker of porcelain dolls, ceramics, quilts, and her famous white fudge, which definitely is not sugar-free! Her faith was very important to her, and she was a beloved member of the First Baptist Church of Crane. A die-hard fan of the Golden Cranes and Lady Birds, Gloria could often be found watching her great-grandchildren play football, volleyball, basketball, cross-country and track. She even attended one of her great-grandson’s games just one week before her passing. Everywhere she went, she was showered with love and affection, often greeting others with kisses galore. She passed from this world to the next with her adoring family holding her hands, rubbing her feet, singing hymns and reading Psalms from the Bible. Her last words before she went to be with Jesus were a testament to her life and love: “I love you so much…with all my heart.” 

Gloria is survived by her daughters, Debra Pettit and her husband Steve; Terri Young and her husband Dennis; her sister Cherry Ann Bates and brother-in-law Rob Cole; sister-in-law Peggy Dickson; and grandchildren Denny Young, Michelle Beaupre, Brad and Jessica Pettit, Craig Pettit, Terra and Casey Willis, Blaine and Chasity Young, and Carley Young. Her love extended to her great-grandchildren: Jagger, Kade, and Kennedy; Nick, Cash, and Stevie-Kate; Jaxon, Makenna, and Hudson—each of whom brought her great joy and pride. Additionally, she leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who lovingly remember her as “Aunt Glory.” 

Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her stepmother Eddie Hill, brother Darrell Dixon, sister Emma Lou and her husband Carl Milam, sister Juanita and her husband Jack Ellison, and daughter Patti Lynn Milam. 

Gloria’s life was marked by her faith in Jesus Christ, which carried her through every challenge with grace and strength. She lived each day with a servant’s heart, always offering love, support, and encouragement to those around her. Plagued by heart issues since suffering a major heart attack at age 49, she was fond of saying, “I love you with all my heart, which isn’t much but it’s all I’ve got.” While this always brought laughter, she had twice as much heart as most. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association in her memory, continuing her legacy of love and service.

Family visitation will be held at Nichols Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6-8 PM. Services will take place at First Baptist Church of Crane on Thursday at 11 AM, with graveside services immediately following. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Alfredo Medina and the staff at Crane Memorial Hospital for their excellent care and compassion over the past few days. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5