Gloria Mae Hodge Hylton, 'Sis', was born September 20, 1937 in Martinsville, Virginia. She was the second of three children born to James William Hodge, Sr. and Lucille Spencer Hodge.

Gloria attended Albert Harris School and after graduating in 1955, she attended West Virginia State College, where she majored in Home Economics Education. She returned to Martinsville, and began teaching 6th grade at her beloved Albert Harris in 1959, and continued teaching in the Martinsville City Schools for over 32 years. She referred to all her students as "my girl" or "my boy", and rarely ever forgot a name whenever she met them years later. Sis was a lifelong member of Fayette Street Christian Church, having served as a Sunday School Secretary and teacher, an usher, choir and Christian Women's Fellowship member, Financial Secretary, and a Deacon. Community service was dear to her heart, especially after retirement. She served on the Board of Directors for the Blue Ridge Regional Library, Piedmont Arts, and Amgen Safety Net Foundation; as well as tutoring privately and at Albert Harris Middle School, and teaching cursive writing. In 1993, she was part of a group of local citizens that received an award from Ralph Nader for fighting against the storage of hazardous waste on the West End of Martinsville.

Gloria was united in holy matrimony to Vallie W. Hylton, and was a devoted wife for over 60 years. To their union was born their daughter, Andrea L. Hylton, of Belmont, NC.

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, Sis departed this earthly life to be with her Heavenly Father. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers James, Jr. and Richard Hodge; nephew, James Christopher Hodge; and beloved grand dog. She leaves to cherish her memory, in addition to her husband and daughter, a host of cousins, family, and friends.

A visitation service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville, VA with Pastor Calvin Curry, Eulogist. Interment will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 869 Parkway Dr., Martinsville, VA.

Courteous, efficient and dependable services provided by Hairston Funeral Home.