Gloria C. Witham

Gloria was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, the only child of Olga Winegard. She graduated from high school in 1959 and completed one year at Towson Teachers College. She married Jay Armstrong in 1961 and had two children, Ada and Drew. She worked multiple jobs throughout her lifetime including being a programmer for C & P Telephone Company. She married Phil Knapp in 1968, gaining 4 additional children: Kathy, David, Terry, and Roy. Gloria surrendered her heart and her life to Jesus in 1973, forever altering the path of her life. In 1977, she moved to Schroon Lake, New York to attend Word of Life Bible Institute, which led to her living in that town after her graduation in 1978. She met the love of her life, Gary Witham, in New York and they were married on January 20, 1990. Gary was a pastor and they ministered together at Christ's Home in Pennsylvania for a number of years as dorm parents and as the pastor for the Retirement Home. Gary was an accomplished guitarist so often they would play and sing together. Gloria absolutely loved being a pastor's wife and joyfully filled that role for many years. They moved to Maryland in 1996 while Gary attended Maryland Bible College and Seminary. Together they served many churches and church plants, moving to Quarryville, Pennsylvania in 2001 followed by Strasburg in 2015. They got involved with driving for the Amish community through Gary's job at Quarry Ridge Builders. Gloria loved to create, craft, and repurpose anything and everything. She loved to garden, whether vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Her Amish friends shared lots of tips and tricks with her for growing it all. Cooking was another of her passions and many people were blessed to enjoy the fruits of her labors. Frequently she could be found perusing new cookbooks or magazines for new recipes to try.She is survived, and loved dearly, by Ada (Tim), Drew (Karyn), 14 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She is now reunited with Gary and infant granddaughter, Natalie, whom she lovingly referred to as Amazing Gracie.  Her life was well lived, full of family, friends, lots of joy and sass; and wisdom gained through her close walk with Jesus.

An indoor graveside service will take place at the Calvary Monument Bible Church, 1660 Mine Road, Paradise, PA, on Friday, February 26th at 2 p.m. with Pastor Chris Lenhart officiating.