Gloria Dee Maynard

Gloria Maynard left this world on Sunday morning. In her lifetime, she has touched the hearts of many people, especially during her battle with cancer. Born in Williamson, West Virginia, she and her husband Larry moved to Smith Mountain Lake in the 1980's.
She is survived by Larry and three step children, and many friends. Over the years, she has worked for builders, developers, doctors, attorneys. Most recently, college professors. She enjoyed her work at Ferrum College, more than any job that she had ever experienced. She enjoyed the " college family", faculty, staff and students. She really appreciated their support during her illness, and the many special dinners at Ippy's in Rocky Mount. When Gloria found out about her Stage 4 Cancer, she faced it with courage, even when she could barely put one foot in front of the other. She also appreciated the efforts of the Oncology staff at Duke University, and their willingness to help her through this difficult journey. Gloria also had a special fondness for pets, she found a puppy on the golf course in the early 1990's, and named him Bogey. He passed away several years ago. Gloria and Larry also spent a lot of time with a close friend's dog, Lucy Pearl, a blond cocker spaniel. Lucy Pearl passed away in 2010 at age 13. In recent days, Gloria told about a dream that seemed very real and special. She said, that she was in a hospital bed, and Lucy Pearl woke her up, and she could talk. She told Gloria, that she was in a very good place now. She said that when she first got to where she was, it was very confusing, and she was very lonely. Then, a lady came to see her, and told her that she was going to take her to see someone that she knew, and she would not be lonely anymore. So, the lady takes her to a large farm, and Bogey is there, living happy as can be. So they set a doghouse up beside of him for Lucy Pearl. Then the lady asked her this question. "Before you got sick and old, what did you really like to do?" Lucy Pearl said, I liked to chase squirrels more than anything." So the lady gave her a tree and a squirrel to chase. But, Lucy Pearl says, the deal is I can never catch it, just chase it." Sorta like the place where you are now Gloria, you chase around but you never really catch anything. Come and get me when you get here." Gloria smiled... we all know she is on her way to be with Bogey and Lucy Pearl.
We love you and miss you. Friends of Gloria's are invited to attend a gathering in her honor at the Flora Funeral Home, 665 S. Main Street, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151 from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, May 22, 2012.