Gloria Fletcher
On February 26, 2015, the Gainesville community lost an icon with the sudden passing of Gloria Fletcher. Gloria and her husband Cotton shaped the charitable, political and business landscape in North Central Florida for three decades. Gloria was a highly respected attorney renowned for her effective representation of law-enforcement and correctional officers. She had a reputation for being an advocate for abused and neglected children.There are few people in North Central Florida more politically influential or involved as Gloria. Among those giving tributes to Gloria were the Governor, Attorney General, and a multitude of current and past public officials. In remembering Gloria, State Attorney Bill Cervone eulogized, “when she came into a room you knew she was there by the energy she brought with her. She was larger than life in her enthuasim for life.” Governor Rick Scott told a huge crowd of mourners how Gloria had made Florida’s children safer by effectively lobbying on their behalf.Gloria Fletcher’s life was a testament to traits deeply rooted in her character; the foremost was her infinite capacity for love. Her love for Cotton, her family, her legion of friends, her country, her community, her law practice, and every at-risk child was limitless.
Gloria grew up and attended public schools in Gainesville. Before entering law school Gloria began her career working to help families and children who suffered from deprivation and abuse. In recent years, she tirelessly campaigned to convince legislature to provide for attorneys for abused and disabled children. She was a strong supporter of the local Child Advocacy Center. Within the last two years, she was instrumented in obtaining a record settlement for children abused while in foster care.
I met Gloria while she was an Assistant State Attorney working for Gene Whitworth. As I represented police and correctional officers throughout North Florida, Gloria was a perfect addition. At that time, law-enforcement and corrections was male dominated. In a meeting early on, officers complained about having a “women lawyer.” I assured them Gloria was my partner and a tough lawyer. Twenty-five years later, through her hard-work and passion for law-enforcement, Gloria’s reputation among those same officers far surpassed mine.
Gloria never called herself a feminist, but throughout her life she broke barriers that once excluded women. Throughout North Florida there are female judges, lawyers, prosecutors and business leaders who achieved success with Gloria’s support and encouragement.
Gloria was a dear friend and loyal confidant. She was never one who stood with you only when you were a winner – she was there when things had not gone well.
This community will certainly miss her, as will my family and I. But I am assured that her legacy and her accomplishments will be improving the lives of Floridians long after my time has also passed.
Rod Smith, former State Attorney and State Senator, was a law partner and close friend of Gloria Fletcher over the last thirty years. He is now with the firm of Avera & Smith.