She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 58 years, Fred J. Barrera Jr. She is survived by her son, Fred Barrera III; her brother, Roger Reyes (Rachel); and her nieces, Roxanne and Rochelle (Larry) Barron.
Gloria graduated from Lanier High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University, and a second master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She served the San Antonio Independent School District as a teacher, counselor, and principal.
Throughout her life, Gloria’s mission was to educate and encourage children in San Antonio’s inner-city communities, giving them the knowledge and confidence they needed to build successful futures.
Gloria was involved in her community for many years. She participated in the Mexican American Business and Professional Women’s Organization, Toastmasters, Great Decisions, and the Mitchell Lake Wetlands Society among many other organizations. She was also a past president of the League of Women Voters and a founder of the Guadalupanas at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made directly to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) through its website: lbda.org/donate
The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Red Oak Memory Care and Sacred Mission Hospice for the exceptional care and comfort they provided to Gloria in her final months.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary located at 1101 McCullough Ave., with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Gloria’s funeral Mass will begin Friday, October 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Matthew Catholic Church located at 10703 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78230. Interment will follow in San Fernando Cemetery III.
