Gloria Dean Nevels

Gloria Dean Allen Nevels was born the oldest of three daughters to William Allen and Vorease Lucas Allen in Longview, Texas. As a child, she enjoyed a close knit family dynamic with her parents, grandparents, siblings, and dozens of cousins in the Shiloh and Post Oak community. She attended Shiloh Elementary School from kindergarten to eighth grade. Upon completion, she attended Weldon High School in Gladewater, Texas graduating in 1959 with honors. As a student at Weldon High, she was a member of the girls’ varsity basketball team, choir, one act play, newspaper staff, band, glee club, and National Honor Society.

These academic successes led her to attend Wiley College. As a Wiley Tiger, she blossomed. She was an Alpha Kappa Alpha debutante her freshman year, became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and met the love of her life, Bobby Leon Nevels Sr. She and Leon (as she affectionately called him) married December 7, 1963 and enjoyed 56 years of marriage. Two children were born to their union, Bobby Leon Nevels Jr. and Leah Nikki Williams.

Her passion for teaching and leadership strengths led her to become a 36 year career educator in Dallas Independent School District. There she received Teacher of the Year accolades multiple times and impacted the lives of countless students, of whom when she encountered them in later years would always profess how she impacted them greatly and blessed their lives. Her dedication to others and love for teaching was on full display when she tutored her younger sisters, Millie and Billye, to pass the TeCat educator exam, in order to be recertified as classroom teachers.

Gloria professed her faith and love of Christ as a child when she joined Shiloh Baptist Church. As a teenager, she served as the youth choir pianist for Post Oak CME Church. As a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dallas, she served as Sunday School teacher, choir member, Vacation Bible School Director, altar guild team member and more. Currently, as a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, she served on the Financial Team and praise teams.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents William and Vorease Allen and her husband, Bobby Leon Nevels Sr. She leaves behind to cherish countless beautiful memories her son, Bobby Nevels Jr. (Cheryl), her daughter Leah Williams (Kendall), grandchildren Brooke Nevels, Kade Williams, Tyler Butler, Kace Williams, Kole Williams, and Ian Nevels; two sisters Millie Allen and Billye Allen; one sister in law Rubye Franklin (Lemon); two special great nieces Jennifer Mazone and Karter McCright; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life graveside service for Gloria will be held Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Laurel Land Memorial Park, 6300 S R L Thornton Frwy, TX 75232.

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