Gloria Celestine Wharton, age 77, of Petersburg, Virginia, entered into eternal rest peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026. She was b orn on November 15, 1948, to the late George E. Myrick and Frances E. Poarch Myrick.  She was also preceded in death by her son, RuShawn ByKei Wharton; her brother, Tyrone D. Myrick; paternal grandparents, Watsey and Rebecca Poarch; maternal grandparents, Jessie Myrick and Minnie Myrick.

At an early age, Gloria confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia. Upon relocating from Petersburg to Brooklyn, New York, she attended various churches until her health failed. Gloria, affectionately known as, "Tina", enjoyed Good Shepherd Baptist Church online services. She also enjoyed watching television worship services to include: Joyce Meyers and Charles Stanley Ministries.

Gloria loved good ole gospel music. Some of her favorites were Dottie People's "On Time God" and Marvin Sapp's, "Never Would Have Made It." She also enjoyed cooking, especially her favorite, chicken, baking lemon chess pies, and an old-fashion potato salad amongst other dishes. Gloria also enjoyed reading spiritual books, doing Christian word searches, shopping and artwork.

She attended Petersburg Public Schools and graduated from Peabody High School, Class of 1967. She was employed with the United States Postal Services in Brooklyn, New York, and Richmond, Virginia for thirty years.

Gloria leaves to cherish loving memories: sisters, Jacqueline M. Harper (Charles) of Chesterfield, Sherry M. Dabney of Petersburg, and Glenda M. Jones of Colonial Heights; brother, Seth Myrick of Petersburg; aunts, Ellen P. Robinson, Blanche P. Smith, Katherine P. Massenburg, Daisy Poarch, Anne Poarch, Virginia Ann Poarch, and Reverend Dr. Ethel Poarch; uncles, Franklin Poarch (Dorothy); a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-great nieces, great nephews, cousins and other relatives too numerous to name. May God bless all who devoted themselves during her lifetime and her illness. Gloria also leaves to cherish her longtime devoted friend, Carroll Bogwell; classmate, Deacon Lucille Goodwin and co-worker, Mr. & Mrs. James Thomas. A special thank you to the Affinity Hospice of Virginia Services.

Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA, Bishop Jeffrey L. Reaves, Sr., Pastor, eulogist and Rev. Dr. Gerald Brandon, officiating.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6131736?fl=so&fe=fs