1949-2025
Gloria Jean Kibble was born on November 13, 1939, in Stuttgart, Arkansas. She was the second of nine children born to the union of Bert Lee Geans and Hollis Kibble. As a child and teenager, Gloria was a member of Second Baptist Church now Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
Gloria started her education early. At the age of four, she was enrolled in kindergarten by her paternal aunt Kay while living with her in Little Rock, Arkansas. When Gloria returned to Stuttagart, she continued her elementary and high school education at Holman where she was a member of the basketball team. Gloria graduated in Class of 1956, at the age of 16, alongside her older sister Annette.
In 1959, Gloria continued her education at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (Arkansas AM&N), now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), to fulfill a desire that began at age 7 - to become a teacher. She majored in Education and minored in Modern Foreign Languages. While there, Gloria pledged the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1962 — an affiliation she would proudly maintain throughout her life. As a college student, Gloria also was a participant of sit-ins and demonstrations in efforts in Pine Bluff to integrate various businesses in Pine Bluff. Gloria graduated from AM&N in 1963, assigned to the class of 1964 to complete student teaching efforts that were delayed due to the aforementioned social justice pursuits.
Gloria’s academic journey didn’t end with her undergraduate degree. She earned two master’s degrees from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois - one in Reading and the second in Curriculum and Supervision. In 1982, Gloria earned a Doctorate degree in Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee — a remarkable achievement that reflected her deep dedication to learning and leadership.
Gloria taught for one year in Wynne, Arkansas. She then moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she began a distinguished 41-year career with Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She served as an elementary and reading resource teacher at Calhoun North Elementary, District 7 reading coordinator, principal of George Leland Elementary, McNair Elementary, DuSable High School and as a Principal Support at CPS’ Office of Instruction and School Management. Gloria received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Principal of Excellence Award, the School Leadership Award for Outstanding Principal and the Outstanding Administrator Award in Education (7th Congressional District of Illinois).
Of all her roles, her favorite years were spent as principal of George Leland Elementary School, where she led with passion and purpose for over a decade taking the school from one of the lowest performing schools in the state to of the top schools in CPS, as evidenced by standardized test scores, due to her unparalleled knowledge of curriculum and instruction. She often said, “You can’t be too poor to learn.” Gloria worked closely with her teachers to ensure that the instruction students received was standards-based and aligned. She retired from CPS in 2004.
In 1968, Gloria married her first husband, Rudolph “Rudy” Collins of Montego Bay, Jamaica. While they were married for many years, no children were born to the union.
In 1979, Gloria met and married Oscar Alejandro Archbold. In 1981, they welcomed a daughter, Denise Archbold — the light of Gloria’s life. Gloria and Denise shared a uniquely close and loving bond. They were inseparable — often seen together at restaurants, taverns, bookstores and social gatherings.Their closeness remained constant and strong until Gloria’s final days.
Although Gloria left Arkansas in the 1960s, she never let go of her Southern roots. She remained a proud native of Stuttgart, Arkansas and would often proclaim with a smile that she was from “The Rice and Duck Capital of the World.” It remained a point of pride throughout her life.
Gloria was deeply involved in her professional and social communities. She was a dedicated member of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gloria also held her spiritual foundation close, as a member of Christ Universal Temple in Chicago under the leadership of Reverend Carlton Pearson.
Gloria was preceded in death by her sisters Linda Kay Kibble, Annette Kibble-Perry, Bertha Ella Kibble-Hampton and brother Larry Kibble. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter Denise Archbold-Delk, her son-in-law Alvin Andre Delk, her grandson Alvin Alejandro Delk, her brothers Walter Kibble, Andrew Kibble, and Nathaniel Franklin Kibble, along with a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, colleagues, and dear friends.
All who knew Gloria will forever remember her intelligence, elegance and dedication. They will also remember her love of R&B music, dancing ability and sense of humor. Gloria’s legacy will live on through the many lives she touched, taught, and inspired.
