Gloria Lamas Barrera

Gloria was born on September 27, 1927 in Robstown, Texas to Jose Angel and Anastasia Lamas. She was raised and educated in Corpus Christi, Texas. She married William Trevino Barrera in 1947 and they were married almost 71 years until Willie passed away in 2018.

In 1960, Gloria received her license as a Vocational Nurse working at various Corpus Christi hospitals. In 1970, she was certified as a respiration therapist. She retired for a short time to take care of her ailing mother later going on to work in local nursing homes until her retirement in 1990. She loved being a nurse and tending to her patients. She hated the paperwork, though, and complained that it took away from her time with “her” patients. She had compassion and empathy for everyone she nursed and for whom she loved.

Gloria was well traveled going (solo) as far as Tokyo, Japan to visit friends. With her husband and her sisters and brothers she traveled all over Mexico. They also traveled to Central and South America, England, Spain, France, Italy and Ireland. They enjoyed yearly trips to Las Vegas and almost as many cruises through the Caribbean.

She is survived by her brother, Joe A Lamas (Juanita) of Corpus Christi and her sister, Adele Toupal (Plano, TX), her son Thomas Barrera (Corpus Christi), her daughter, Sandra Barrera, son-in-law, Manuel Tello, grandsons, Thomas Villarreal (Austin), Navy Lt. Commander (ret) R. William Villarreal (Naples Italy) and Osman Tello (Dallas), great-grandson, William Preston (Austin) along with several nieces and nephews all of whom loved her dearly. She made them all feel special and loved unconditionally.

The family extends a special thanks to her caregivers, Lucila Valenzuela and Ana Cerna, who through the last 5 years helped care for her with much affection and devotion. We couldn’t have made it through this journey without their help.

A memorial service for Gloria will be held Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023, followed by a reception at 12:00 PM in Magnolia Suite.