Gloria Slaughter Hammack

A native of Dallas, Gloria was born to Lula Mae Bonner Slaughter and Albert Lloyd Slaughter. She attended Highland Park Schools and was a graduate of Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

It was on a blind date that Gloria met the man who would become her husband. When Mississippi born West Point Cadet John Asa Hammack (Jack) rang the doorbell to pick her up, Gloria's mother was first to answer. After the two left on their date, Lula Mae told her husband, "I just met the man Gloria is going to marry." That prediction rang true and the two were married in Dallas on October 3, 1953. Jack and Gloria were devoted to each other throughout their 63-year marriage. Gloria and Jack's early married life was spent in West Point, New York, as Jack ,a West Point graduate ('49), completed his military service. Afterwards, they returned to Dallas to raise their three children, John, Elisa and Albert.

Gloria's love for her family knew no bounds. She adored her children and supported them in everything they did. She was involved in their schools and attended all their extracurricular activities. Gloria also got to know their friends and became everyone's "favorite mom" as she followed them and their families throughout their lives.

Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren. "Granny" and "Mimi" as she was known, was the ultimate grandmother! She was fun to be with and enriched the lives of her four grandchildren, Marshall, Shelby, Jessica and Julia. The walls of her kitchen are covered with their artwork expressing their love for her and lined with photographs of special times spent together.

To her extended family, she was the favorite sister, sister-in-law and aunt. She took as much interest in their lives as she did her immediate family. She was supportive and encouraging and regularly opened her home to family and family celebrations. If there was a special event involving a family member, Gloria never missed it.

Kind to everyone and a stranger to no one, Gloria had an infinite number of friends. She was genuinely interested in learning about everyone she met and found great happiness in the time she spent with each one. Whether they were young or old, she treated each as if they were the most special person on earth.

She was blessed by friendships with many whom she met in school and college, along with those she met all through her life. She shared years and years of get-togethers with her sewing and dinner clubs and her poker group. She was truly loved by all who knew her as she had a unique gift in making everyone feel appreciated. She was the ultimate "friend gatherer"!

A woman of many talents, Gloria was creative and curious. She spent many years learning about gardening, cooking, floral arranging and welcomed countless friends and family members into her home for delicious meals and celebrations. She was the consummate entertainer and her dinner tables were always exquisite. Many happy holidays were spent around the Hammack table which was always filled with laugher and joy. Gloria made hosting dinners and parties look easy.

A lover of travel and exploring countries around the globe, Gloria and Jack traveled extensively with family and friends. From trips to Hawaii, summers spent in La Jolla and Santa Barbara and adventures in Europe and Asia, Gloria always knew the best places to eat and the sites that could not be missed. She was constantly reading and learning.

A devout Christian, Gloria was a lifelong member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Her Christian faith guided every aspect of her life. She was dedicated to the church and involved in many aspects of its work, including serving as a Deacon.

In addition to her involvement with the church, Gloria served on the Town of Highland Park's Advisory Park Board. She was a member of The Dallas Woman's Club, the Dallas Garden Club, the Founder's Garden Club, Friends of the Dallas Arboretum, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae and the Dallas Country Club. She supported numerous charitable organizations with both her time and treasure.

Gloria is predeceased by her parents; husband, John Asa Hammack; her daughter, Elizabeth Slaughter Hammack; her sister, Betty Lu Williams; brother-in-law, Joel T. Williams, Jr.; and her nephew, Walter Lewis Perryman, III. She is survived by her two sons, John A. Hammack and his wife, Terri, and Albert D. Hammack and his wife, Melinda. She is also survived by her grandchildren who brought her great happiness: Marshall Hammack, Shelby Hammack, Jessica Gardner and her husband, Michael and Julia Ledowsky and her husband, Michael.

The family would like to thank Dora Navarro, her dedicated housekeeper for the past 36 years; Esmeralda Velasquez; Bizunesh "Boo" Wondimu and Yezena "Zena" Ayele for giving Gloria such devoted and loving care. They provided comfort and peace for her, especially in her final years. Each of them has been a great blessing to Gloria and the Hammack Family.

A celebration of Gloria's life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Boulevard.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, 75218; the Elizabeth Slaughter Hammack Memorial Garden at the Highland Park Town Hall, 4700 Drexel Drive, 75205; the Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop Boulevard, 75205; the Jeraldine W. Scott Scholarship Fund at the Canaan Baptist Church, 2203 Alaska Avenue, 75216, Attn: Pastor Jarvis D. Baker; or the charity of your choice.

Hers was truly a life well lived. We are comforted knowing she is reunited with her Lord and Savior and with the members of her family who made the journey before her.

"Leave us if you need to ... we will still remember...an angel flying too close to the ground." (W. Nelson)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Hammack family.