Gloria Jean Bockman

Gloria Jean Bockman of Newport News, Virginia passed away peacefully June 13, 2026, at the home of her daughter in Kents Store, Virginia after a brief illness. In her final days, Jean was surrounded with love and care by her family. 

The third of six daughters born to Robert and Margaret Gourley, Gloria Jean Gourley was born November 24, 1942, in Danville, Virginia. Jean would go on to live the majority of her life in Virginia; she and her husband George would settle in Hampton with their later years in Palmyra. Eventually, Jean moved to Newport News to be with her daughter. 

Jean enjoyed a long career with the Southland Corporation, holding many positions, before taking early retirement to be a stay-at-home “Memaw” (grandmother) in 1995. 

Jean had a true passion for volunteering her time and energy to non-profit organizations, most notably: Phoebus Little League, American Legion Post 48 Auxiliary, and as the Bingo Manager for the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire & Rescue. 

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, George B. Bockman, parents Robert and Margaret Gourley, grandchild Ashlie Bockman, and sisters Carolyn Yarborough and Norma Boyd. Jean is survived by daughters Shawn (David) Long of Newport News and Margaret (Michael) Arnold of Kents Store, son Richard Bockman of Newport News, grandchildren Stephanie (Taras Mauch) Arnold, Elizabeth (Chris) McDonald, Catherine (Scott) Turlington, Taylor (Kevin) Jacobs, Tyler Bockman, Nicholas Long and Benjamin Long, eight great-grandchildren, and sisters Joann Garrison, Sue Sprouse, and Betty Morris as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Jean was blessed with a long list of friends, many of whom she considered family, especially Kim Sipowicz, Shawn Rigsby, and Bill Smith. In recent years, her caregiver, Pam Wood, became her steadfast confidant and dearest friend. 

Known by all for her energy and firecracker personality, Jean will be greatly missed by those that received her fierce love, support, and encouragement. 

A Catholic Mass will be celebrated June 30, 2026, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church 4309 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy Palmyra, Virginia. Family will begin receiving guests at 10:00 am, with the service at 11:00 am and celebratory lunch immediately following. The family would appreciate any expression of sympathy be in the form of a donation to the Shriners Children's Greenville. 

Please indicate George Bockman Memorial Golf Tournament in the memo section. Mail to: ACCA Shriners 1712 Bellevue Avenue, Richmond, Virgina 232271