Gloria Gaither
Encyclopedia
Gloria Gaither is a Christian
songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is the wife of Bill Gaither and also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.
. When Sickal graduated from high school, she attended Anderson University
in Anderson, Indiana
. There, she triple majored
in English, French, and Sociology. Upon her graduation, she took a job at Alexandria Monroe High School
as a French teacher. There, she met Bill Gaither, who was teaching English at the time. She married Gaither in 1962, and they began writing songs recreationally. By the end of the 1960s, Gloria, Bill, and his brother Danny Gaither
were touring steadily, as the Bill Gaither Trio.
series. She has been an active presence in every video production. Gaither is currently the scriptwriter and narrator for the Homecoming
series. In 1991, she attended Ball State University
and received a Master of Arts
in Literature
. She taught as an adjunct professor at Anderson University
for periods in the late 80s and late 90s. In 1996, she spearheaded the creation of Gaither Family Reources in Alexandria, Indiana
, and currently serves as co-owner and managing director. In 2002, Gaither launched Homecoming: The Magazine, and she currently acts as writer, interviewer, and contributing editor.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is the wife of Bill Gaither and also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.
Early Years
She was born Gloria Lee Sickal in 1942 in Michigan, a daughter of pastor Lee Sickal and Dorothy Sickal. She spent most of her childhood and high school career in the Battle Creek area of Michigan, working a brief time for the Kellogg CompanyKellogg Company
Kellogg Company , is a producer of cereal and convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles, and vegetarian foods...
. When Sickal graduated from high school, she attended Anderson University
Anderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
in Anderson, Indiana
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
. There, she triple majored
Double degree
A double-degree program, sometimes called a combined degree, conjoint degree, dual degree, or simultaneous degree program, involves a student's working for two different university degrees in parallel, either at the same institution or at different institutions , completing them in less time than...
in English, French, and Sociology. Upon her graduation, she took a job at Alexandria Monroe High School
Alexandria Monroe High School
Alexandria Monroe High School is a high school in Alexandria, Indiana. It is a co-educational public school enrolling students in grades 9-12. It is under the auspices of the Alexandria Community School Corporation. The school enrolls around 500 students....
as a French teacher. There, she met Bill Gaither, who was teaching English at the time. She married Gaither in 1962, and they began writing songs recreationally. By the end of the 1960s, Gloria, Bill, and his brother Danny Gaither
Danny Gaither
Danny Gaither , was a gospel music singer from Alexandria, Indiana and an original member of the world-famous Bill Gaither Trio....
were touring steadily, as the Bill Gaither Trio.
Recent Projects
After touring with the Bill Gaither Trio, Gaither drew her focus to the Gaither HomecomingGaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
series. She has been an active presence in every video production. Gaither is currently the scriptwriter and narrator for the Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
series. In 1991, she attended Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
and received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. She taught as an adjunct professor at Anderson University
Anderson University (Indiana)
Anderson University is an accredited private Christian liberal arts university in Anderson, Indiana. The college is affiliated with the Church of God . Anderson University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and the society. In 2010, U.S...
for periods in the late 80s and late 90s. In 1996, she spearheaded the creation of Gaither Family Reources in Alexandria, Indiana
Alexandria, Indiana
Alexandria is a city in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is about northeast of Indianapolis. It is part of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and currently serves as co-owner and managing director. In 2002, Gaither launched Homecoming: The Magazine, and she currently acts as writer, interviewer, and contributing editor.
Awards
- Dove Awards
- 1984
- Song of the Year: "Upon This Rock" - Gloria Gaither, Dony McGuire
- 1985
- Songwriter of the Year
- 1987
- Song of the Year: "In the Name of the Lord" - Phil McHugh, Gloria Gaither, Sandi Patti Helvering
- 1992
- Southern Gospel Album: Reunion: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration - Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither
- 1996
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame
- 1984
- Grammy Awards
- 1999
- Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Kennedy Center Homecoming - Bill and Gloria Gaither and their Homecoming Friends
- 2001
- Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Bill & Gloria Gaither Present a Billy Graham Music Homecoming - Bill & Gloria Gaither and the Homecoming Friends
- 1999
- Academic Awards
- 2002
- Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
Honorary doctorate recipient
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- 2010
- Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers inductee
- 2002