Gloria Mae Walther

Gloria Walther, age 96, passed away in the 1st early morning hour of July 4th in Austin. Gloria Mae was born in New Orleans to Emmett and Helena Serpas September 7, 1928. At four years of age, Gloria’s family moved to Longview, Texas, where Gloria resided until her marriage to Joe Walther on August 31, 1946.

Gloria met Joe at a USO dance when Joe was on leave from the Army Air Corps during WW II. Shortly after their marriage, Joe joined the Air Force. While Joe in the Air Force, Joe and Gloria were stationed in Texas, California, Louisiana, Texas again, Florida, and upstate New York where they reared four children Lynn, Dan, Mike, and Pat.

Goria and her growing family moved to Austin in January 1969, while Joe completed his last tour in Vietnam. Gloria completed her Bachelor Degree in English Literature –Cum Laude from the University of Texas in 1970. After his Air Force retirement, Joe and Gloria lived on Sunnybrook Drive in northeast Austin from 1974 to 2021; Joe worked as a civil engineer for the City of Austin until 1999, and Gloria worked as a Department Manager and Buyer from 1972 to 1982 at Scarborough's – Austin’s once premier department store.

Trained by her mother as a seamstress, Gloria made clothes for herself and “jams” for her sons; she also created crafts that she sold in downtown Austin. Gloria’s Cajun ancestry and “joie de vivre” fueled her gracious and active social life. Joe and Gloria loved traveling all over the world, camping in wild places, and dancing in all forms. Gloria thoroughly enjoyed hosting dinner parties in her home for friends and family – always willing to find a chair for another uninvited but welcomed guest.

From 2021 to her passing, Gloria resided at Buckner Villas in north Austin, where Gloria always said “Thank-you” to every contact with Buckner staff, who treated Gloria with great respect and commonly called her “moma”.

As instilled by her parents, Gloria was a lifelong active and faithful member of the Catholic church – including as a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Austin for over 56 years.

Gloria is preceded in death by her husband and soulmate – Joe, who passed away in 2014, but Gloria has lovingly kept his ashes to be buried with her own. Gloria’s younger brother, Jack, also preceded Gloria in death. Gloria is survived by her two younger sisters - Bebe and Mary, four children, 11 grandchildren, and 18 great-children.

Burial of Gloria’s ashes with Joe’s ashes are to be interred at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery on August 1, 2025 at 10:00 am; family members are invited to attend.

Per Gloria’s wishes: In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 5909 Reicher Dr. Austin TX, 78723.

On Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 10:00am, a memorial service shall take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Austin – as a celebration of life with a Gloria inspired party to follow; friends and family are invited to attend.