Gloria Mannino Gillis, 94, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, leaving behind a family she adored, a community she enriched, and a legacy of warmth that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Born on March 13, 1932, Gloria came into the world alongside her twin brother, Sal — the two youngest of six children born to Vincent and Leona Mannino. From her very first day, she was never without family close at hand. She and her five siblings — Sal, Josephine, Leona, Fred, and Fortune — remained extraordinarily close throughout their lives, gathering faithfully for every milestone and holiday. The bond they shared was one of Gloria's greatest joys, and she carried it with her always.

Gloria embodied the very best of Southern grace. She was warm, gracious, and unfailingly hospitable — she believed there was no trouble that a good meal, kind words, and a beautifully set table couldn't fix.

She was a devoted mother and a doting grandmother, constantly amazing her grandchildren by jumping on trampolines and water skiing. Perhaps her proudest title of all though was that of great-grandmother. There was nothing she treasured more than time spent with her family.

For more than fifty years, Gloria was an active and beloved member of The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, where she found a second family in her church community. She delighted in serving others and she especially loved cooking breakfast for the children at Vacation Bible School.

A founding member of the Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, Gloria spent many happy years on its courts, where her love of the game was matched only by the friendships she made along the way. She had a deep passion for gardening and decorating, and her home reflected the same care and attention she gave to everyone in her life. She was a longtime, beloved resident of the Enclave neighborhood, where she was the sort of neighbor everyone hoped to have — attentive, gracious, and always ready with a smile and a casserole.

Gloria was known for her bright smile and a laugh so full of joy that it lifted the spirits of everyone around her. She loved hosting elegant parties and luncheons, where her gift for gathering people, telling stories, and making everyone feel welcome shone its brightest. Her gumbo and her Christmas cookies were the stuff of legend — lovingly made, generously shared, and woven into every family gathering for as long as anyone can remember.

She loved her dogs dearly, volunteered eagerly, and helped anyone in need without ever being asked twice. And in the most charming of Southern traditions, she absolutely loved being told she didn't look her age — a compliment she more than deserved, because she truly never did.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Leona Mannino; her husband, Franklin Rogers Abel; her second husband, Hyatt Quinette Gillis; and her siblings, Sal Mannino (her cherished twin), Josephine Mannino Stajdel, Leona Moody, Fred Mannino, and Fortune Mannino.

She is survived by her daughters, Jennieann Abel Trotter and Mary Lynn Abel Whitaker; her grandchildren, Diana Dornan Heather and Donald Patrick Dornan; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Khloe, Lola, and Dashiell Heather, and Beth Claire and Paul Dornan — the lights of her life.

A private Celebration of Life will be held for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to the South Mississippi Humane Society , Feeding the Gulf Coast, World Central Kitchen, or Disabled American Veterans — causes that reflect Gloria's lifelong devotion to caring for animals, feeding others, and serving those in need.

Gloria's bright smile, generous heart, joyful laugh, and thoughtful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind a family that adored her — and a world made warmer for the way she lived in it.

Riemann Family Funeral, Biloxi is serving the family during this difficult time.