Gloria Graves Meadows

Gloria Graves Meadows, a force of nature, died peacefully in Arlington on May 1, 2014, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at a later date at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi.

Born Gloria Dawn Blue on December 17, 1920, she was the apple of the eye of her parents Tom and Haddy Blue, owners of Blue and Blue Printers in San Antonio. After graduating from Brackenridge High School in 1937, she attended the University of Texas in Austin, graduating in 1940. Her time at the university was some of the happiest in her life. She loved living in the Scottish Rite Dormitory, studying in the Plan II program, and being recognized as one of the true campus beauties. She remained an Orangeblood through the rest of her life, with season football tickets, travels with the Flying Longhorns, and two of her children as well as two of her grandchildren graduating from the university.

It was at UT that she met Jimmie Graves, head yell leader, Tejas Club member, and petroleum engineering student. They married in 1940, embarking on quite a journey as Jimmie moved up in the oil business. Gloria put up curtains and joined Methodist churches in Bartlesville, Ardmore, Smackover, Buras, Alice, Borger, Midland—23 places in all. She and Jimmie finally settled in Corpus Christi when Jimmie joined Gillring Oil Company in 1951.

During their journey they had three children, Sunny, Tom, and Bonnie, who can’t remember a school they attended where Gloria was not the PTA president. She was thoroughly and enthusiastically engaged in their school and social activities as chaperone, driver, organizer, and encourager.

Indefatigable, Gloria ran the concession stand and kept score for the National Little League, where Tom played first base and Jimmie coached. She became an accomplished rider as she and Jimmie raised half-Arabian horses at their place on Chapman Ranch Road, traveling to shows around the state.

While Gloria enjoyed reading and bridge, she adored being outside with her hands in the dirt. Everyone commented on her meticulously maintained yard on Ocean Drive. She was a charter member of the Ocean Drive Garden Club and won many prizes for her arrangements. She also became an expert birdwatcher and life member of the Audubon Outdoor Club. This interest took her from southeast Arizona to Maine, and the Chesapeake Bay to the Florida Keys.

Gloria traveled the world, connecting with people wherever she went. She kissed the Blarney Stone, hiked in the Alps, walked on the Great Wall of China, visited the Holy Land, and went on African safari, always charming her fellow travelers with her wit and sense of humor.

The First United Methodist Church was among Gloria’s greatest joys. It was where her faith grew and deepened. One of the hardest working staff at Christian Adventure Camp, she loved being with the young people there. She was Sunday School Secretary—the first woman to serve in that role. Placing a statue of Christ in front of the church was one of her top priorities and she served as a member of the committee that brought the idea to fruition.

After Jimmie died in 1994, Gloria stayed in her ‘little house on Ocean Drive” until she married an old family friend, Ben Meadows, in 2000. Gloria and Ben lived happily in their lovely home at Trinity Towers in downtown Corpus Christi, enjoying many friends and a social whirl. After Ben’s death in 2012, Gloria moved to Arlington, Texas in order to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Gloria was pre-deceased by her husband of 54 years, James Allen Graves; her parents, Thomas and Haddy Blue; her sister, Merry Tom Blue Molteni; and her second husband Daniel Benjamin Meadows.

Survivors: Daughter Sunny Graves Yoder, of Alexandria, Virginia and her partner Michael Clifford; son, Thomas Allen Graves and wife, Jacquie, of Austin; daughter Bonnie Graves Flynt and husband, Herrell, of Arlington; grandchildren Jessica Graves and James Graves of Austin; Carrie Flynt Velder and husband, Kelly, of Arlington; Mollie Flynt Griffiths and husband, Glenn, of Boerne; and Haddy Flynt Manuel and husband, Edward, of Fort Worth; great-grandchildren, Addison Moore, Gavin Griffiths and Louise Manuel; niece, Dr. Victoria (Judy) Graves of Jordan, Arkansas; niece, Nancy Wilson, of San Marcos and nephew, William Loomis, of Foster City, California; the family of Ben Meadows; and countless loving friends.

It was Gloria’s wish that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Christian Adventure Camp, First United Methodist Church, 900 South Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401.