Gloria Calderon

Picture it!

January 15, 1948, Kingsville, Texas – A little baby girl was born two months early to Julian Arias Guerra and Angelita Montalvo Guerra. She was so small by comparison that she could fit in a shoebox and had to wear baby doll clothes because they were all that could fit her tiny body. In spite of being born prematurely, Gloria was bigger than life, full of spunk, joy, and loved to sing and dance. She made lots of long-lasting friendships and had just as many boyfriends! That tiny baby girl grew up to have five babies of her own to love and raise and was blessed with two more bonus children. Those babies grew up to have babies of their own, and that tiny baby girl was then called Grandma Goli, Goli Grandma, Granny, Granny Kodi, and Grandma Ko-kok! (Think of a rooster crowing, she loved chickens and roosters) Grandma Goli was the apple of their eyes and had a special distinct bond with each of her grandchildren. She always made her children's and grandchildren's friends feel like they were part of her family.

Gloria attended Maribeau B. Lamar Elementary, Wynn Seale Junior High, and was a proud Roy Miller Buccaneer, Class of ’67. Gloria loved her alma mater and made sure to let you know of her purple and gold pride! She spoke fondly of her school days and the many jives and back-to-school extravaganzas she attended at the HEB tennis courts where she hand-jived, mashed-potatoed, and twisted the night away. If there was one thing our beloved Mom loved, it was music, dancing, and joyous laughter. Gloria had such fire and passion for life she couldn’t stop herself from dancing when the mood would arise or the tune was just right.

One thing that Gloria was known for was being a talented storyteller. She painted pictures with her words, expertly weaving the historical loom of her life as a child, so much so that you would feel you were there experiencing the memory with her. She was proud of her ancestral heritage and would often re-tell the stories to her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews that were told to her as a young girl. Often her grandchildren wanted to stay and listen to the stories of her childhood. She also had a knack for getting you to open up and talk about yourself. If you had a problem or dilemma, you best believe you would be spilling the beans to Gloria, who would, in turn, show you how to make lemonade out of lemons!

Gloria was a fierce advocate of equal rights for all. She accomplished much of this as a secretary for the Steel Workers Union, Treasurer of Carlos Truan Campaign, The Union CWA (Communications Workers of America). She proudly worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company between 1971-1977, where she met her beloved husband of 42 years, David A. Calderon Sr., and the rest was magic!

Gloria Guerra Calderon, 73, of Riviera, Texas, was called home to her Lord on Friday, September 24, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her husband, David Alberto Calderon Sr.; her father, Julian Arias Guerra; her mother, Angelita Montalvo Guerra; and her brother, Gilberto Montalvo Guerra.

Gloria is survived by her children, Concepcion Yvette (James) Holloway, Eric James (Karen Yvette) Hinojosa, Micaela Andrea (Paul) Stewart, Diego Alejandro (Michelle) Calderon, Cynthia Ann (Holly) Calderon, Marisa Araceli Calderon, and David Calderon, Jr.; her sister, Gilda Guerra (Lupe) Aguilar, and grandchildren, Marina Alexandra (Adam) Avalos, Rolando Oscar Torres, III, Julianna Angelica Torres,

Isabella Francheska Holloway, Gabriella Alejandra Calderon, Kiana Nicole Stewart, Jasmine Alejandra Calderon, Diego Alejandro Calderon, Jr., Mallory Rose Calderon, Lily James; and great-grandchildren, Catalina Micaela Torres, Sergio Manuel Cano, Giselle Marie Cano, and Jilliana Vanessa Sanchez.

Visitation is Wednesday, September 29, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary following from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life is set for Thursday, September 30, 2021, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Turcotte-Piper Funeral Home, 205 General Cavazos Blvd, Kingsville, TX 78363.

Interment at the Coastal Bend Veteran's Cemetery will be scheduled at a later date.

Covid Restrictions will be in place and ask if you are sick to please stay home for our family and your families safety.