Ms. Gloria J Roseboro

Gloria J. Roseboro was born on April 10, 1948 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the oldest of five children to the late Alfred and Emma Lee Killian. She is a product of Buffalo Public Schools. Gloria was married to Herman Roseboro for a period of time and from their union was born Gloria's only daughter, Renee Roseboro Dawson in 1965. After completing high school, Gloria worked at Buffalo State Hospital for several years until she enrolled in a nursing program at D'Youville College School of Nursing and graduated in 1976. She entered the United States Air Force in November 1978 and held many staff, supervisory and executive positions in her twenty-six year Air Force career. In 1984, she received a Master of Science Degree in Management and Business Administration from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama, and was a board certified Nursing Administrator. Gloria's many nursing positions and special duty assignments include Staff Nurse, Obstetrical Unit, USAF Hospital Shepard AFB, Texas; Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery, USAF Hospital Lakenheath, RAF Lakenheath, England; Chief, Nurse Recruiting Branch, 3534th USAF Recruiting Squadron, Richmond, Virginia, where her branch gained national recognition as the number one Nursing Recruiting team in the nation for two consecutive years in a row. She then became supervisor, Maternal/Child module, 832nd Medical Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During that same tour of duty, she was also the Supervisor, Primary Care Module; Group Infection Control Officer; Base Moulage Officer and Chief Nurse, Air Transportable Hospital. Her next assignment was Regional Managed Care Coordinator, DOD/OSD (HA), Managed Care Demonstration Project; Delaware Valley Health Services System, Fort Dix, New Jersey. After that challenging position, she was selected as the Chief Nurse Executive, 7th Medical Group, and became the Commander, 7th Medical Operations Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, where she was responsible for total management of inpatient and outpatient services, emergency room, surgical and anesthesia services as well as medical records. In 1999, Gloria was transferred to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland to become Chief, Accreditation and Quality and later Chief Nurse Executive, 89th Medical Group. Gloria returned to the 56th Medical Group, Air Education and Training Command, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona as the Chief Nurse Executive, where she established standards of nursing practice for over 320 officer and enlisted personnel. She also had the pleasure to serve as the Deployed Commander, 99th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron, 39th Air and Space Expeditionary Wing, Incirlik, Turkey in support of Operations NORTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM. While steadily moving up the ranks in the United States Air Force, on December 1, 1999, she became Colonel Gloria J. Roseboro. Gloria's awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster) , Air Force Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Humanitarian Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award (5th Oak Cluster), Air Force Recruiting Ribbon and Air Force Training Ribbon. After 26 years of service, Gloria retired from the United States Air Force in 2005. After retirement, she worked for the Office of the Air Force Surgeon General as the Chief of Program Management Division and Chief of Research Compliance. She retired for a second time from the United States Government in 2018. Gloria was a member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, American Red Cross Volunteer Nurse (Life Member), Military Officers Association of America, and the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Golden Life Member). Gloria was an active and well-known member of her beloved sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was initiated into the Richmond Alumnae Chapter in 1986. She was a member of the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter for more than 16 years and still remained dedicated even in her time of illness. She enjoyed volunteering, being on and spearheading committees, and being the best Soror she could to her many Sorors. Her leadership skills were displayed through participation in her many committees and projects. She coordinated the purchase of chapter blazers and was involved in social action. She played a major role in the Spring 2018 membership intake program. She also chaired the Fundraising Committee and ran for the position of Second Vice President. She was very supportive and actively participated in a plethora of chapter events and activities over the years. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service Foundation (NVDECS). Gloria was a stellar woman of Delta and was one of the main reasons why her granddaughter Brittany wanted to join the sorority; and did in 2007. Gloria was also an active member of Alfred Street Baptist Church where she sang in the Psalms of Praise Choir and was a member of the finance team. In 1987, Gloria became a first time grandmother to her only grandchild, Brittany Hood. She then became affectionally known as "Mamita" and/or "Mita" by Brittany at the age of 2. In 2013, Gloria became a first time great-grandmother to Skylar Hood and a second time great-grandmother in 2020 to Jace Hood. She had a special and warm kind of love for her two great-grandchildren whom she referred to as her "Skylar Boo" and " My Main Man Jace". Gloria will be remembered for her gracious smile and tough love. She did not tolerate nonsense from anyone and although stern, she had a sweet, loving and compassionate side of her that those closest to her were able to experience. Let's not forget her looks! She was a fashionista and never stepped out of the house without looking sharp! She was an excellent cook, story teller, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, great-grandmother, godmother, Soror and friend. She had a tough exterior with a heart of gold. She always took care of those around her whether personally or professionally. Gloria was a woman of God and always had strong faith even in the midst of many storms. She was the epitome of a fearless leader while here on earth. A true angel in the physical and spiritual sense. Gloria is survived by her daughter, Renee Roseboro Dawson, granddaughter Brittany Hood (Jerome), sister Alfreda Killian, brothers Alfred, Gregory (Warren), and Jerome Killian (Kathy), great-grandchildren Skylar and Jace Hood, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ms. Gloria J Roseboro

April 10, 1948 - November 9, 2021