Gloria Alice Ware

Gloria was the youngest of 5 children born to Troy Cordus Caylor and Cora Alice Hicks. Gloria was born during the early years of the great depression during which her father moved the family to Chicago, Il in search of work. It was in Argo, Il that Gloria entered the world. Not being born in Texas was something she was always disappointed about but as the saying goes, she got here as fast as she could. While still a toddler Gloria lost her father due to a heart defect not easily treated at that time. Being a single mother with 5 children to raise, Alice moved her family back to Texas, specifically, Sherman, to be close to family.

During her childhood Gloria spent time visiting her eldest brother and his children in Oklahoma. She enjoyed roller skating with older sister Martha, even when the nuns chased them off the tennis courts at the Catholic school down the street for skating where they shouldn’t have. More comfortable in overalls than dresses, she also enjoyed riding her bicycle, playing with her cats and dogs, and hanging out with friends. A tomboy at heart she grew into a real beauty with a snappy wit.

After graduating from Sherman High School in 1952 where she lettered in basketball, Gloria followed her two sisters to Texas Telephone Company where she worked as a telephone operator until marrying the love of her life, Charles “Gene” Ware, to whom she was married 64 years. A year later, her twin daughters were born three months premature, one not surviving. She spent most of her life in Arlington being a stay at home wife and mother, developing many interests and hobbies. She was a great cook who loved experimenting with new recipes while keeping the traditional favorites.

Charles and his parents owned farm land in Fannin county where Gloria learned barrel racing, entering and placing in several amateur events. Gloria’s other interests included playing tennis, lady’s softball well into her 60’s, and learning to play guitar from Frank Kinman. Later, she learned classical guitar from Oscar Valdez. She was a talented painter, and enjoyed dabbling in writing. She and basenji friend JoAnn once dared each other to write a romance novel claiming that anyone could do it. While realizing it wasn’t quite as easy as they thought she persevered, and although never published, she left behind a manuscript capturing her spirit of bold determination.

All who knew her knew of her passion for animals. For most of her life, she always had a pet around, something she had in common with Gene. After seeing the 1956 movie, “Good-bye My Lady”, she was determined to have a basenji, a dream finally realized in 1983. She and Charles eventually ended up with three basenjis at one time, a dynamic that was sometimes quite interesting (challenging) but always filled with love and laughter. Another dream was to write a series of children’s books about a basenji and his adventures.

She worked diligently, and successfully, to get “Good-bye My Lady” released to video. She wrote many letters and made many phone calls, even writing to Sidney Poitier. She also wrote to Miss Veronica Tudor-Williams in Great Britain, original owner of Lady, receiving multiple responses.

She was a member of Fielder Road Baptist Church for many years from 1959 until health issues kept her homebound. At the time of her passing, Gloria was living in a senior living facility in Arlington.

Preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Alice; siblings, Troy Cordus, Jr., Hubert Paul, Katie Lorraine, and Martha Lou; husband, Charles Eugene ‘Gene’, and baby daughter, Gloria Jean; nephew, Troy Cordus ‘Butch’ III, niece, Paulette Moore, and nephew, Thomas Potts. Also, preceding her are beloved Simon, Rusty, and Ralph, and basenji kids, Vanity, Runner and Star.

Surviving her are her daughter, Janet, and many beloved nieces and nephews, Ann and Larry, Sam and Susan, Kathleen, Alice, Molly and Vaughn, Milton and Sandy, Theo and Ed, Leisa and Eddie, Debbie, and Paul and Kathy. And many greats and great-greats, too! She loved family, and was so proud of everyone.

A special nod to Susan and Brandi for all of their support. Caretakers don’t have it easy. Thank you SO much! And for bringing sweet, little Molly to visit. Also, thanks to the staff at Elmcroft and Carver Heights for their care and support.

Donations may be made to The American Heart Association, The Alzheimer’s Association, The North Texas Humane Society in Fort Worth, or any animal care facility of choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moorebowenroad.com for the Ware family.