Gretchen Gail Mallory

MALLORY, Gretchen Gail, 57, passed away peacefully on May 21st, 2016 with her family by her bedside. Gretchen was born October 8th, 1958 in Houma, La, to Marlene and Richard Brown. She was raised in a military family, eventually setting up permanent residence in Tampa, Fl in 1975. Gretchen lived a very full life traveling all over the world by the time she matured into adulthood. While living in Germany, she attended Kaiserslautern American High School. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Jerry Mallory, who would later become her husband. Gretchen loved the Lord with all her heart and built her family on the foundation of faith. She attended Brandon Assembly of God and had a strong, supportive church family.Her life was centered around her family and it brought her great joy to care for them. Gretchen always helped those in need and never allowed sick family members to stay alone in the hospital if she could help it. She enjoyed supporting her daughters by attending their softball games and school functions. She took the most pleasure in simply being with her grandchildren. She was always playing with, reading and singing to them. In addition, Gretchen was always excited to prepare her home and host when celebrating holidays. Gretchen is survived by her husband, Jerry Mallory, daughters, Amber Mallory, Shanna Kirby, and Hayley Judah, two sons in-laws, Aaron Kirby and Kyle Judah, and five grandchildren, Cole Nieves, Ethan Mallory, Aiden Judah, Ansley Judah, and Dean Kirby. She is also survived by her mother, Marlene Brown, and two sisters, Tracy Vestal and Kelly Brown, as well as a niece, Brianna Vestal, nephew, Darien Vestal, and grandmother, Sadie Griffith. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Brown, grandparents, Clinton and Florence Brown, grandfather, Captain Vibert Griffith Sr., great-grandmother, Christy “Mamoose” Zapata and great-grandfather, Raphael Zapata Sr. Visitation will be held at Garden of Memories in Tampa, Fl on Thursday, May 26th, 2016 between 6-8pm. Gretchen’s Celebration of Life will be held at the same location on Friday, May 27th, 2016 at 11am followed by a processional to graveside service at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fl.