Dr. Gloria Trotman was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her life motto, "make a difference," was embodied in her every word and deed. Dr. Gloria's memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Killeen Seventh-day Adventist Church (4700 Rancier Ave, Killeen, TX 76548). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to ADRA.org.

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Maybe July 1, 1943, started out like any other warm, rainy day in Georgetown, Guyana, South America, but on this special day, Gloria Lindsey was born to Elsa Carmichael. She passed away July 1, 2024, in Killeen, TX. She grew up with her hard-working mother and doting maternal grandparents, Gertrude and Albert. Years later, Gloria was thrilled when her baby brother Dennis was added to the family.

Gloria loved sharing tales from her childhood with her children and grandchildren. In fact, she once wrote and printed a colorful anthology of her childhood adventures, Grandma's Stories, for each of her grandchildren. Woven through these stories was a common thread highlighting how her relationship with Jesus guided her through each phase of her life. She told of the time she chose to follow Jesus but was initially denied the opportunity to be baptized because she was deemed "too young" at the age of 7. She pleaded her case by bravely demonstrating to the leadership that she knew the teachings of the Bible just as well as the adults did. There was no choice but to allow this fervent girl to proceed with the baptismal rite. This experience likely kindled her zeal later on for making church a "child-friendly" place.

Young Gloria exhibited the same musical talents as her mother and grandmother. She comfortably advanced through all eight grade levels in both piano and vocals with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. At church, she used her skills to play for special events and prayer meetings. With a subtle grin, she would tell of the school night that an exhausted teenaged Gloria fell fast asleep kneeling at the organ during a prayer meeting she'd been playing for. Fortunately, the song leader's energetic announcement of the closing song jolted her awake, allowing her to promptly hop back onto the bench and begin playing the requested hymn without missing a beat!

After high school, Gloria went on to earn her associate's degree at what was then Caribbean Union College in Trinidad, West Indies. By 1967, Gloria had met a tall, witty ministerial student on campus, Jansen Trotman. As their love for each other grew, they realized that they shared the same passion for ministry. The two were married on March 30, 1969. Their lives as a pastoral couple took them to Barbados, Trinidad, Antigua, and St. Croix, USVI as Jansen pastored and Gloria taught at the local Adventist schools. Along the way, they welcomed four children into their family: Karen-Mae, Jansen, Jr., Shawna and Nelita. A lifelong student, Gloria went on to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's in counseling and a PhD – all while holding down a full[1]time job.

Gloria made her family feel cherished -- from the warm vanilla scents of her baked custards or raisin scones wafting through the house on Friday evenings, to the home concerts the family would record for fun. Never short on hugs, kisses or encouragement, Gloria attentively listened to what was confided in her, making one feel as though nothing in the world could be more important in that moment.

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During their time in St. Croix, Pastor and Mrs. Trotman became Certified Family Life Educators through Andrews University. Their trademark banter and skillfully-synchronized, interactive presentations earned the Trotman team a strong reputation. Across the Caribbean and throughout the world, they equipped families to grow and thrive.

In 1999, Jansen and Gloria stepped out once more in faith when Jansen accepted the call to be president of the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Trinidad. Gloria provided counseling services at their alma mater, University of the Southern Caribbean (formerly CUC), until she was appointed as Women's and Children's Ministries Director for the Caribbean Union. After several years, the Trotman's moved to Miami, Florida to continue their work within the vast region comprising the Inter-American Division of the General Conference (IAD). Dr. Gloria again held the roles of Women's and Children's Ministries Director and Pastor Jansen served as Family Ministries Director and Administrative Field Secretary. Having previously served as Ministerial Spouses Coordinator at the conference and union levels, Gloria was happy to be able to serve in this capacity at the division level as well. In 2006, she was commissioned as a minister by the IAD.

It was important to Gloria to inspire others with what she'd learned. The several books she authored include By Her Side, What No One Tells the Pastor's Wife and How to Help Kids Enjoy Church. The couple retired in 2010 and moved to Killeen, Texas to be close to their children and grandchildren. Gloria and Jansen continued co-authoring books centered on spiritual growth and family while becoming involved in ministry efforts with their New Hope SDA Church family. Meanwhile, Gloria's family and friends could always expect to receive uplifting morning text messages from her featuring an inspiring Bible verse and her own words of encouragement.

Gloria's husband, children and grandchildren all called her "blessed" as the Proverbs 31 woman she was. She has left a legacy of love, ministry, warmth, learning and laughter that will be cherished in each of our hearts.

Surviving Family:

• Husband: Pastor Jansen Trotman
• Children: Karen-Mae Mitchell (Ricky), Jansen Trotman, Jr, (Dori), Shawna McNeily (Henry), Nelita Elliott (Mark)
• Grandchildren: Gabriel Trotman, Isis Trotman, Janae Mitchell, Joya Mitchell, Jaselle Traynor, Navi Trotman, André Henry, Miles Elliott, Ian Elliott
• Brother: Dennis Kadan
• Other extended family