Gloria Lopez Perez passed away on September 29, 2021 in Wylie, Texas at the age of 96. She was born on February 9, 1925 to Salvador and Angelita Castillo Lopez in Dolores, Texas.

Although being a mother of fourteen children she realized she had a purpose and that was to help others. During the War on Poverty initiative in 1964, the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) was established thus allowing the creation of the "Head Start" Program and several other programs such as the Visiting Nurse Association. Because of the War on Poverty's OEO Act she was able to attend on the job trainings while earning a salary. She was employed at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas and trained as a Dietician/Nutrition aide. She would later attend training classes as a "Homemaker" with VNA and received certification for what is now similar to Home Health Care. She then worked in caring for the elderly.  Later on, she began working in a children's day care.  She realized she did not just want to "baby sit". She wanted to "educate " the children.  She would say this was the time for them to "learn".  She moved on to a day care where "learning" was applied.  She enjoyed caring and educating the children. At some point she had two of her grandchildren in her classroom.  The children addressed her as "Mrs. Perez". When two of her grandchildren came under her care, they addressed her as "Grandma". This caused confusion with all the children. She said, "You need to say Mrs. Perez".  Well John Raymond Castro and Amanda Rosales were confused. They called her "Grandma Perez" and all the children in the classroom began calling her "Grandma Perez" too. Because of the OEO Act she was able to further "her education".  She took GED classes. She attended Texas Women's University and North Texas State University (UNT) in Denton, Texas all while working in Day Care.  She received an AA degree in Early Childhood Development. She was 55 years old.  She credits this to the OEO Act. She was able to receive student aide, a salary and ultimately fulfill her dream of furthering her education. If not for the War on Poverty, Head Start would not be here today. OEO was abolished in 1981, however its effects are still felt today, with other programs taking place of others such as the Health and Human Services as we know today. When she retired and later moved to Plano, Texas, that sense of education for children stirred in her.  She became a volunteer at Mendenhall Elementary in Plano Texas (across from her residence) as a "Rocking Granny".  She would assist children with ESL and would at times work one on one with a child having difficulty assimilating to their new surroundings. 

She gave me this prayer many years not just for my children, but I am certain related the sentiment for all her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.     

She has left us Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers the privilege of passing this on.

A Grandmother's Prayer

Let me give my grandchild gifts

Not just toys, but other things -

Like treasured dreams & memories

That give a child both roots & wings

Let me help with little things

To teach someone to tie a shoe,

To answer funny questions now

And always know just what to do

Let me show that what is old

A child may find completely new,

And know what once delighted me,

Makes any grandchild happy too

Let me use this special time,

Feeling blessed by circumstance;

For sometimes being a grandma is

A mother's happy second chance.

(Jill Wolf)

She is survived by daughter, Anita Perez of Midlothian, Texas; daughter, Lydia Lopez of Irving, Texas; daughter, Margie Trejo and husband, Sergio of Franklin, Texas; Connie Martinez of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Corina Castro of Irving, Texas; daughter, Vickie McCoy and husband, Jimmy of Irving, Texas; daughter, Cynthia Lopez of Calvert, Texas; daughter, Gloria Small and husband, Jeff of Wylie, Texas; 42 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren; sister, Rosa Macias of Houston, Texas; and numerous other loving family members and friends.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Salvador and Angelita Lopez; brothers, Salvador, Jesus, and Rudolfo Lopez; sisters, Josephina, Estella, Hortencia, and Amelia Lopez; son, Arturo L. Perez, Jr. and his father, Arturo Duque Perez, Sr.; son, Carlos L. Perez; son, Rogelio Perez; daughter, Irma Long, and daughter, Marcella Perez.

The Perez family would like to thank everyone at Plano Community Homes where Gloria resided for 32 years and leaves behind many friends. We would like to recognize the staff of Dignity Hospice Care and thank them for being there every moment until the end, and No Place Like Home, where they repeatedly called Gloria a “tough cookie”.  

C.C.

Patricia Matthews

Ike I.

Geza W.

Bridget L.

And finally, we would like to thank Chaplain Jeremy Gengler for all his support.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Gloria’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/gloria-perez. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.