Gloria was born April 9, 1953 in Alexandria, Louisiana to Aaron and Jeanette Tookes. She later relocated to Texarkana, Texas where she met her husband Booker T. Benton, Jr. They had two sons and one daughter while living in Texarkana. She was a faithful member of New Hope C.M.E., and served as the head of the kitchen committee.

Gloria had a smile that could brighten an entire room, and she loved everyone that she came in contact with. She embodied what it meant to "Live Life!"

God called Gloria home March 24, 2021 and she proudly answered. She was preceded in death by: her parents; one sister, Emma Jean Benton; and one brother, Donald Tookes.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Booker T. Benton (Tina) and Bill Lee Benton (Angie) both of Texarkana, Texas; honorary son, Willie Williams, Jr. of Texarkana, Texas; one daughter, Gloria J. Benton of Texarkana, Texas; grandchildren, Kia Green of Houston, Texas and Kameron Benton of Texarkana, Texas; honorary great-grandchildren: James (Jae) Ellis, Shariahya Daniels (Toya Williams, and Ava White (Kristen Watson); two brothers, John Roberts Tookes of Dallas, Texas and Aaron Tookes, Jr. of Texarkana, Texas; sisters, Wilma D. Bailey, Annette Reed and Rev. Berniece Harris (Jimmy) of Texarkana, Texas and Cynthia Wesley (Charles Ray) of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.