Gloria was a truly wonderful woman, a respected journalist, a trusted friend, and an unwavering supporter of the law enforcement community. Throughout the years, she treated people with kindness, professionalism, and genuine compassion. Her support for first responders and her dedication to keeping the community informed never went unnoticed. - Scott Hawkins
They were true journalists. The paper was a labor of love for them and you read it in every inch of the paper. -Carla Locke-Tollett
Growing up in a newspaper family, we know firsthand how it’s a labor of love and certainly not a 9-to-5 job. The Trotters poured themselves into the industry and led it with such integrity! - Steve Reese
She treated me as an equal when few did when I was a 21-year-old running for office. I’m grateful for her and her legacy. - Justin Wood I worked for them in the 90s and during the startup of The Sun, they were so good to me, taught me so much. They seemed to see creativity and talent in me where I didn’t realize myself and they allowed me every opportunity to use it for their papers. They trusted me later to manage the McLoud News until they sold it. - Paula Dobbs
I remember the day Gloria brought in a three- page story and told me cut it down to three paragraphs. H-m-m . . . well, I did, and since then I've done that so-o-o many times and think of her. Although my "career" with them was quite a few years ago, they were friends, especially Gloria when we often shared "family" stories, she commented on my Facebook page, etc. This is sad, old friend, but so grateful that you WERE my friend and not just my "boss." - Ann Lanier McDonald
Gloria Trotter was a mentor and friend. For those who are Potawatomi, her and her husband Wayne also helped publish the Hownikan for several years. - Jennifer Bell
She was a mentor, counselor and dear friend. She was an exemplary report- er, writer and publisher, and a devoted community leader. Tecumseh, Pott. County and Oklahoma journalism were better because she and her beloved Wayne lived and worked here. Knowing that she is no longer missing him is a bit of comfort.
-Mary Carter
Gloria documented our highs and lows, our tragedies and triumphs for decades. I can trace the growth of my children in the pictures she took and stories she shared; I was fortunate to later work with her for many years in the Chamber, and she was a wise friend of whom I often asked advice. - Fran Topping
I really came to know them during my time on City council and especially my year as THS Alumni President. Without them I would have never been able to get the Alumni news out that year. Their expertise and willingness to help was invaluable. I also valued their advice and support from the time I graduated THS into my adult life. I could always count on Gloria to listen first and give advice later. She would tell me like it was even if it was not what I wanted to hear. We agreed the majority of the time about most issues, but even when we did not agree, we did so respectfully and there was never any hard feelings. We need more people like that in society today!!! I remember one time in particular I had a conversation with her after a council meeting and she said "You do understand that will never fly, but I admire you for trying" She was right, it never got off the ground, but she was honest in her criticism, and I received it the way it was intended. I have met only a few that had as much integrity as Gloria and Wayne. - Don Holland
Gloria and Wayne helped this neophyte navigate the local political world when I was elected as mayor of Shawnee. I’m convinced their sage advice and support during the campaign, and even after I was elected, helped me be a successful leader. -Chuck Mills
Loved my time at the newspaper office. I worked with Gloria and Wayne in the ‘90s. I learned so much about the newspaper business. They had a great deal of patience as we all learned a new way, new computers and to do things with two papers. - Dana Greenlee
Gloria Trotter was a Tecumseh institution. If you ever wanted to know what was going on in town, all you needed to do was stop by the paper and check in with her. Her readers could always trust her tireless work ethic to keep them informed. She and Wayne, whom we lost last year, were always willing to sit down and talk through the issues facing Tecumseh and the area, our state, and our nation. - Senator James Lankford
I worked with Gloria for a year before she and Wayne retired in August 2021. I hadn’t worked as a reporter for about 15 years, so I was pretty rusty. She would edit my stories, but not only that, she would give advice, trying to make me a better writer. Gloria taught me to ask questions, like when a school board member abstained from a vote, and she asked me why. I just recorded the vote and didn’t think to ask, but I have ever since. Gloria was down-to-earth and straightforward. She was not afraid to ask the tough questions of anyone. I really admired her courage. She was passionate about politics, uncovering the truth and serving her adopted community.
When she and Wayne retired after 38 years at the Countywide & Sun, they trusted me to tell their story, and I was honored. They had a long, storied career which went back to the early days of newspaper, when women were only allowed to write for the social pages. Gloria started out there, but she fought to cover all the news, and she made it all the way to the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame and President of the Oklahoma Press Association. Now, in my office, I have many reminders of Gloria - her computer, phone, boxes full of Tecumseh Together notecards and Frontier Days T-shirts, a bookcase full of books and old cameras she and Wayne collected, and a bright yellow Countywide & Sun rain jacket she bequeathed to me. But, I will never fill her shoes. She was definitely one of a kind. God bless your soul, Gloria, and thank you for being my example of a tireless truth-teller. - Natasha Dunagan
Gloria was my very first boss, but her impact on my life didn’t start there. She granted my mother (Vicki Duff) the opportunity to temporarily step away from a 20+ year career and into her lifelong dream of photo journalism. This changed my entire family dynamic and my future.
My mother was able to share her passion for writing and photography with me, and I shadowed her at every opportunity (spending hours in her Countywide darkroom). When mom transitioned back to part-time, Gloria brought me on staff as well. For the next couple of decades, I worked freelance. Mostly, I helped with photo-worthy events like graduations, homecomings and rodeos. On occasion, I wrote a few feature stories about local legends. Gloria was always stern… as one needed to be living on a revolving deadline, but also kind and helpful. She critiqued my writing in a gentle and positive way, as to not discourage me, but make me better.
She, not always so playfully, scolded me when I sent too many photo options. I can still hear her say, “Julie, I only need one or two. Quit sending me so many choices! I don’t have time for that. I need you to solve my problems, not create more work for me!” Now, 25 years later, I am the editor of her once-owned paper and preaching those same words to my photographer. The irony is laughable. Her positive feedback on my news coverage, that she was no longer required to give, meant more to me than she could ever know!
My circle was once very small (I’m working on that), but filled with strong, independent, take-charge women. Gloria was among those ladies. Her commitment to truth and community awareness was apparent and unwavering. The Trotters built a paper, not on their own political beliefs, but with a non-partisan approach. That is rare. I am so proud to be a part of continuing her legacy of unbiased news reporting and her strong push, for any and all, to be informed and involved. Everyone will miss her wisdom and experience, but not many as much as us ladies running the paper! - Julie Duff Talton
The Countywide & Sun is a combination of The Tecumseh Countywide News, founded in 1924, and The Shawnee Sun, founded in 1990. The newspapers were combined in 2008. The Countywide & Sun is published weekly by The Countywide News Inc., 108 E. Washington, PO Box 38, Tecumseh, OK 74873. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Tecumseh Post Office, Oklahoma 74873, and at additional offices under the act of March 9, 1979. Correspondence should be sent to the Countywide & Sun, PO Box 38, Tecumseh, OK 74873. The Countywide News Inc. is an Oklahoma corporation wholly owned by Oklahomans. Annual subscription rate in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, $41. Elsewhere, $53. POSTMASTER: Send Form 3579 for address changes to The Countywide & Sun, PO Box 38, Tecumseh, OK 74873-0038.