Gloria Speights McBeth

Gloria Speights McBeth, age 86, of Houston, Texas, passed away on July 29, 2016. The youngest of nine children, she was born in Hemphill, Texas to Tom and Arley Speights on November 17, 1929. She was preceded in death by her parents, all siblings except one dear sister, and her beloved husband, Ted McBeth.

Gloria had a joyful spirit and was rarely without a smile on her face. Her father passed away when she was three-years-old, and Gloria was raised by her mother during the Great Depression. She was voted “Most Popular” and played on the Hemphill High basketball team. She was proud of her Hemphill heritage and returned often for family and school reunions.

As a young career woman, Gloria worked at a bank in downtown Houston in the ‘50s. It was here where her future husband was encouraged by an aunt to meet a pretty girl she knew at church when he visited from his studies at A&M. She was right. Gloria and Ted were soul mates who held hands every day of their long marriage. Bless you, Aunt Mildred.

Gloria’s banking career was put on hold to work at home as a wife and mother to two daughters. She enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, traveling, reading and was an excellent Bridge player. Gloria’s greatest joy in life was her family which extended from her husband and two daughters to three grand-daughters and a great grand-son. “Gigi” as she was affectionately known, taught her granddaughters the lost art of cooking and sewing as well as to seek adventures in life. She gave them unconditional love and the most amazing Christmas stockings a child ever knew for which she shopped all year long. Her home was filled with love and endless support, helping them become women of strength and substance. Always stylish, Gloria’s inner beauty and loving personality far outweighed the exterior. But outings to Neiman’s and Sakowitz with her growing up -with lessons on how to work the sale rack – will never be forgotten.

Gloria was also a woman of strong faith, counting bible studies and volunteering at church among life’s rewards. She led by example in her endeavors. Perseverance to overcome obstacles included swim lessons as an adult since she wasn’t taught as a child. Though she learned to swim, she never took to water. Her aversion to water extended to dietary choices. Seafood was off limits and she often told people she was “allergic” to avoid further questions. This was the one area in which she was known to take license with the truth. She had no known food allergies.

As the wife of a Chemical Engineer, Gloria learned to move from city to city. From Lake Jackson to Odessa to Lake Charles and finally back to Houston, Gloria made each transition as easy as possible for her family. Not one to complain, we never knew West Texas wasn’t to her liking until years later. Gloria returned to her banking career upon arrival in Houston in the early ‘80s when she inquired about a job at her new bank and was hired on the spot. Her financial prowess continued as she enjoyed investing in the stock market with her husband and recently instructed at age 85 that her “bond man” be called from her hospital bed. Her mind was as sharp as her spirited wit.

Gloria is survived by daughters, Patricia Chandler (Robert), Mary McBeth (Jim Crump); granddaughters, Michele Reed, Jillian Pennington, Charlotte Pennington; great-grandson, Cameron Reed, and countless friends whose support is much appreciated. You will be missed, Gigi.