Gloria Yvonne Hill-Mitchell

Gloria Yvonne Hill-Mitchell was born on October 26, 1950 in Brooklyn, NY to Lawrence H. Hill and Dorothy F. Breedlove. She and her siblings Reginald, Stephen and Janice grew up in South Jamaica Queens, NY and faithfully attended Bethel Gospel Tabernacle on New York Boulevard under Bishop Roderick Caesar, Sr. Due to the fundamental teachings that she received at Bethel, she was able to apply the Word of God that carried her throughout her life. Gloria’s childhood was wonderful and she often reflected that it was filled with playing church in her family’s garage, tons of concert, symphony, ballerina performances, and even getting a little scruffy defending her younger siblings around the neighborhood. She was always well versed, fierce, outgoing, fun and would challenge the guys on the handball courts with her best friend since the age of two years, Brenda J. (Culpepper) Campbell. Gloria was very smart and very talented, especially in the area of music (directing and singing). She had a very sweet melodic soprano voice that was hard to deny, and through her obedience to God, He used Gloria’s voice to His glory. As a teenager, Gloria was in a group formed by Gospel Giant Andre Crouch called 'Sweet Spirit'. The group also consisted of her dear friends Bea Carr, Beverly Caesar (Sherrod) and Kathy Hazzard. Occasionally, Gloria’s younger sister Janice would even stand in with the group. They traveled the world bringing many souls to Christ in a time where gospel music was budding and birthing what we now know as today’s gospel classics and standards. During the mid 60’s, she met and fell in love with Michael G. Dolvin, Sr. They married in 1968, and from that union, Michael Jr. and Joi Dolvin were born. By 1980, Gloria found herself single with two children, working on her degrees and attending an Assemblies of God church in Long Island, NY. During this time that she often termed “The Desert,” she learned how to minister to a different array of people for Christ and no doubt, began a closer walk with the Lord. Shortly after earning her first master’s degree from The State University of New York College at Old Westbury, and working on her second master’s from Stony Brook University she met—-and after a brief courtship-—married Dennis N. Mitchell in 1984. From their union, Denice N. Mitchell was born. After a brief hiatus to have her daughter, she returned to Stony Brook with both young daughters often joining her in class to earn her second master’s degree in Education. In 1989, Gloria relocated her family to Central Florida joining Orlando Christian Center under the pastoral care of Benny Hinn Ministries alongside her brother Stephen and sister in-law, Emelia (niece Elena). She joined an incredible singing group affectionately called “The Ensemble.” As a result, Gloria was able to record more albums, continue traveling the globe, and lifelong friendships were developed. Though professionally experienced as a principal, she chose to return to the classroom full-time to devote her teaching gift to elementary students in Sanford, FL. She maintained both teaching and various singing and ministry engagements often with her spiritual mother, Ernestine Cleveland-Reems. When OCC transitioned into Faithworld, Gloria remained united with new Bishop Clint S. Brown. With his complete backing, she recorded her final solo album entitled Gloria. As she continued to tour and sing with Benny Hinn International Ministries, her calling shifted into the new territory of preaching. Appointed by Bishop Brown as co-pastors of the seniors ministry, 'Here on Purpose' (HOP) with her husband, she was able to fulfill her purpose to preach, teach, sing and lead. After 43 years in Education, Gloria retired in 2015 and moved into her final assignment to rear her youngest grandson in New York. With her husband’s full support, she made the selfless decision to become a snowbird for 4 ½ years, investing in their grandson’s education and loving her family by spending time with her extended family—the Plummers— organizing memorable holiday events & trips for her grandsons. Within the weeks preceding her passing, Gloria congratulated and encouraged all three of her grandsons as they closed out the school year. By June 10th, she had witnessed their graduations, and on the following day—June 11th—she herself graduated to her final resting place with the Lord. Gloria is survived by her husband of 36 ½ years, Dennis N. Mitchell; son, Michael (Antoinette) Dolvin; daughter, Joi Yvonne (Alan) Plummer III; daughter, Denice N. Mitchell; grandsons, Kaleb-Zane and Jaylon-Kade Dolvin, and Alan Plummer IV; brother, Stephen (Emelia) Hill; niece Elena Hill; niece Regina (Rossano) Case; best sister-friend Brenda Joyce (Irvin) Culpepper; niece, Kimberly Daniels (Taylor-Dayne Joi and Aidan); nephew, Chris (Azizi, Madison, Christian and Zach); goddaughter, Shari K. Culpepper; eldest Aunt Ella Speed (Apalachicola, FL); former husband Michael Dolvin Sr. and an entire host of in-laws of the Dolvin, Mitchell, Plummer and Taylor families. Gloria loved her children’s friends as her own-—a quality she herself learned by how her mother and father lovingly and openly raised their family. We would be remiss if we did not mention that she made it her business to develop her own relationship with them, reminding them that they are special, gifted and capable. By doing so, she modeled for them that Christ is the way. You are Blessed, GloBird~ Lovingly submitted by her children, Mike, Joi and Neeci The family of Gloria Yvonne Hill-Mitchell invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory.

Gloria Yvonne Hill-Mitchell

October 26, 1950 - June 11, 2021