Gloria Ann Montoya

It is with deep sorrow and enduring gratitude that we announce the passing of Mrs. Gloria Ann Montoya, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, sister, and faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gloria peacefully entered her eternal rest at her home in Pasadena, Texas on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, with her family by her side. She was 67 years young.

Born in Houston, Texas, on April 1, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Salvador and Augustina Campos. Gloria grew up alongside her loving brothers, Alex, Ted, and Jimmy, and sister, Annie. Starting at bakery as a teenager to retiring from a storied 20-year career in dentistry, Gloria’s work ethic, reliability, and team mentality was respected and enjoyed by many. Her co-workers and teammates loved that Gloria appreciated the beautiful view from her workstation, listening to Sunny 99.1 playing in the background, and getting to know her patients. However, as important as her work was, Gloria retired in 2013 as soon as her first grandchild arrived. The way she was as a mother was the same as she was as grandmother—she always put her kids before anything else. And, it didn’t stop there, as Gloria would go on to care for other kids, not just the rest of her grandkids. Expressing her motherly love was her duty, and she was a natural.

Gloria’s life was full of countless hobbies and joys. A masterful gardener and green thumb, her backyard was certainly her sanctuary. She loved vacations (including to Disney World), the beach, new restaurants, TV novelas, motown jams, attending Christian concerts, taking long walks with her loved ones, playing board games (including Mexican bingo), the Christmas season, and decorating her home . . . but by far her favorite activity was just spending quality time with her friends and family. Her friends and family were her true love.

Her passion, however, was serving the Lord. Nearly every Sunday for over 23 years, Gloria attended service at Lakewood Church. Her calling was the Lord, so in 2008, she started her own Lakewood Life Group bible study allowing any stranger into her home willing to hear about God’s love. Of course, they did not stay strangers for long, as each and every one of them grew to appreciate and revere Gloria’s faith, teachings, and guidance. It cannot be overstated that Gloria was a prayer warrior like no other; and she happily lived a life defined by faith, sacrifice, humility, and love for her family and others. This world benefitted from her unwavering love for God, which resonated through her like a beacon of light to anyone that met her.

Near the end of her life, one verse captures her journey perfectly. In Second Epistle to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8. Those who knew Gloria know how fully she lived those words. She fought a good fight. A hard fight. But she finished with courage, grace, humility, and honor. She wears her crown now with smile.

Gloria is survived by her wonderful husband of 43 years, Mr. John Montoya. In addition to her loving husband, Gloria, is also survived by her two children: daughter, Valerie Nicole Herrera, and her husband Steven, and their two children, Isabella and Daniel; and her son, John Steven Montoya, his wife Allie, and their three children, Jessie, John, and Joli. She is also survived by her sister, Annie

Hernandez, and her husband Oscar, her brother Ted Campos and his wife Elena, and her brother Alex Campos and his wife Josie along with numerous nieces, nephews, sister and brother-in-laws, and faithful friends.

She was preceded in death by her father Salvador Campos, her mother, Augustina Campos, and her brother, Jimmy Campos.

A viewing is scheduled for May 19, 2026, from 5:00PM-9:00PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, and the service will be held on May 20, 2026 at 11:00AM. A reception will follow at 3:00PM at Three G’s Event Hall located at 1610 Preston Avenue, Pasadena, TX 77503.

Although not required, the family would invite attendees, in addition to wearing black, to wear purple to represent courage, hope, and solidarity in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

The family would also like to thank all of the close friends who provided support and well-wishes during this time. Gloria loved her friends very dearly, and they shared that same love with her grieving family during this important time of remembrance of her legacy.