Gloria Guerra Hernandez

Funeral services for Gloria Hernandez of Lufkin will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Richard Joseph officiating. Interment will follow in Ryan Chapel Cemetery.

Gloria Hernandez, beloved sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully March 30, 2024 at the age of 90 and was surrounded by her family. She will always be remembered for her wit, humor, boundless love for children and her innate ability to make everyone feel at home.

Born May 19, 1933 in Fastrill, Texas to Sam Morin Guerra and Elizabeth “Bessie” (Sanchez) Guerra, Gloria was one of nine children and raised in Diboll and New Willard, Texas. She graduated from Livingston High School in 1949. She then attended Port Arthur College and graduated in 1952 with a diploma from the Stenographic Department. After graduation, she began a ten-year career as a legal secretary for Port Arthur attorney John Lindsey, where she maintained his law records and court files as well as translating legal documents from Spanish to English.

In 1962, she began her government career with the Social Security Administration in Port Arthur, Texas where she served in various jobs from Claims Representative through Supervisor. She also performed duties as the Social Security EEOC representative for Texas and Louisiana. In 1978, Gloria and her family moved to East Texas and she transferred to the Social Security office in Nacogdoches, Texas, where she worked until she retired in 1988.

After retiring from the Social Security Administration and still wanting to keep busy, Gloria embarked on a new chapter as an Office Aide in the Lufkin School District at Lufkin Jr. High West. She then moved on to working as an aide for an English Second Language (ESL) instructor for second grade at Slack Elementary School. This move allowed her to teach her own ESL classes throughout her elementary school career. She took a break after her husband passed away in 2014 but resumed her teaching career as a substitute at Peavy Elementary in Hudson ISD in 2015 where she stayed until finally retiring in 2022. Her compassionate nature and dedication to helping others shone brightly as she worked with all these young students, especially those who were non-native English speakers. Her impact on the lives of her students and the community will be felt for years to come.

Gloria and her family were members of the Templo Bautista Church in Groves, Texas where she loved teaching Sunday school bible studies to children and at the annual summer bible schools. No one could tell a flannel board story like she could. In addition, Gloria and her family graciously opened their home every summer to the Bible school college student assistants known as Invincibles.

Gloria dedicated her life to nurturing her family and creating warm, welcoming gatherings in her home. Her passion for hosting and cooking for family, friends and guests knew no bounds. She took great joy in sharing coffee, dessert and laughter with those she loved. Whether it was a holiday feast or a casual Sunday football gathering, her hospitality was unmatched.

An avid football fan, Gloria was known for her unwavering support and her fervent allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys. She never missed a game and delighted in cheering on her favorite team with family and friends. Win or lose she was always a fan, encouraging those around her to stay positive. She constantly reminded those who would dare doubt her beloved Cowboys, “It ain’t over till it’s over!”  or “We’ll get ‘em next time!”

Gloria loved language, words and things that kept her mentally sharp.  Jigsaw puzzles, a good game of Scrabble, and New York Times crossword puzzles were a few of her favorites.

Gloria cherished her family above all else. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Willie Hernandez; her son, Stephen Earl Hernandez; her cherished little dog, Brooklyn; her parents, Sam and Elizabeth “Bessie” Guerra; and her siblings, Frances Partida, Juanita Zamudio, Delores Juarez, Margaret Torres, Sylvester Guerra and Willie Guerra.

She is survived by three sisters, Ada Guerra of Huntington, Texas, Sue Joseph of Pollok, Texas and Beatrice Guerra of Lufkin, Texas. She is also survived by two daughters, Martha Blair of Annapolis Maryland, and Jodi Neuman and husband Vince of Spring, Texas. Grandchildren include Randall Noe of Lufkin, Texas, Jason Blair of Annapolis, Maryland, Tim Hernandez of Nacogdoches, Texas, Courtney Shampaine and husband Adam of Annapolis, Maryland, Joshua Hernandez and wife Lacey of Groves, Texas, Phillip Hernandez and wife Amanda of Groves Texas, Mickey Hernandez and wife Jessica of Nederland, Texas and Kaitlin Neuman of Austin, Texas. Gloria also has 13 great-grandchildren whom she dearly loved.

Pallbearers will be Josh Hernandez, Phillip Hernandez, Mickey Hernandez, Joshua Myles, David Hendry and Carl Zylstra.

Honorary pallbearer will be Bobby Chudej.

Gloria will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice in The Pines, 1504 W. Frank Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904 in honor of her memory.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.