Gloria J Harman

**Gloria Jean Harman**

**March 29, 1956 – February 3, 2026**

Psalm 42:11: “…Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Gloria Jean Harman, who accepted Jesus as her Savior at Mahaffey Camp, Pennsylvania, at the age of eight, passed away on February 3rd.

Born in Indiana, PA, she spent her formative years in the western part of the state. She was profoundly impacted by the Jesus Movement during her high school years, where she traveled around the state in a singing group, sharing faith and songs.

After graduating from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, she moved to Ohio, where she began her teaching career, eventually moving to the Columbus area to teach at Tree of Life Christian Schools (TOL). Gloria devoted many years to her calling, passionately teaching and guiding students, mostly second graders, until her retirement in 2022.

In 1995, she took a one-year sabbatical from TOL to join the CoMission, responding to the Russian Ministry of Education's request for teachers in Volgograd, Russia. This experience ignited her passion for working with refugees and immigrants.

After returning from Russia, Gloria moved to an apartment complex on the east side of Columbus because more than 60% of the residents were Russian speakers. So in addition to her TOL responsibilities, she started teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and, for 13 years, volunteered to teach classes for those pursuing citizenship.

After retiring from TOL in 2022, Gloria worked for Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, where she focused her teaching and love on the refugee Zomi children of Myanmar, and served as an ESL instructor for nearly two years. She continued her commitment to education as an instructor in the Delaware Area Career Center's Ohio Aspire Adult Education Program.

Gloria was a long-time member of the Columbus Vineyard Church and in 2020 she joined the Linworth Road Church where she quickly made new friends and continued to worship her Lord and Savior.

While spending her final days at the Kobacher House-Hospice, one of Gloria’s final declarations was: “I love people!” A simple yet profound summary of her life of serving Jesus, and her commitment to family and friends around the world.

Gloria, daughter of Bill and Ruth Harman, is survived by sisters Lois (Bob) Arthur and Carolyn (Steve) Rand; niece Jenny; nephews David and Josh; grand nieces Eliza, Annika, and Audrey; grand nephew Caleb; many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and their families; her best friend Karen Bergen and many other dear friends; as well as her extended family at Tree of Life Christian Schools. She will be remembered for her dedication to education and her compassionate heart.

On Saturday, February 28 at the Linworth Road Church (5400 Linworth Road, Columbus, OH 43235) a visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00, followed immediately by a memorial service from 2:00 to 3:30. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

All expressions of sympathy, including flowers, honorary donations to the Zomi Christian Church (5918 Sharon Woods Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229), and/or cards are welcome.