Gloria L. Barrera

Weslaco-Gloria L. Barrera, 59, passed away at her home on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Gloria was at her home in Weslaco, surrounded by her family. Gloria was born on September 22, 1963, one of sixteen children to Tomas and Reyes (Gonzalez) Garces. When Gloria was a young girl, her family migrated to Weslaco and worked in agriculture. When she was fourteen, Gloria’s family worked as farm hands for her future father in laws farm. Two years her senior, Agustin Barrera Jr. fell in love at first sight. Gloria’s parents were rigorous and did not allow her to date at fourteen. Nevertheless, Agustin went about his life, determined to win Gloria’s heart when appropriate.

After numerous attempts and a year of courtship, Gloria married Agustin on November 19, 1983. Agustin promised Gloria a better life. Agustin and his father founded Barrera and Son’s Custom Hauling, and Gloria was a full-time homemaker, mom, and business partner.

Gloria learned the value of hard work when she was only a child. As a result, she kept the Barrera home and property in immaculate shape. When Gloria wasn’t busy caring for her husband or children, she would put the laborers to shame, often completing the full-time work of two or three laborers by herself. Gloria was not one to sit still, she kept busy all the time. She loved the outdoors, gardening and cookouts.

Gloria was a great cook. Some of her family’s favorites were Menudo, tortillas, Asado de Puerco, and rice. She also loved animals and was naturally easygoing and cheerful.

Her Pentecostal Faith was essential to Gloria, which her parents instilled in all of their children. Gloria’s parents started a church out of the family home when she was a teenager, and several of her family members became spiritual leaders and preachers. Gloria’s faith likely contributed to her calm, serene, and loving personality.

Gloria is preceded in death by her father, Tomas Garces and sister, Hilda Portillo.

She is survived by her loving husband, Agustin Barrera Jr.; her mom, Reyes Garces; daughter, Lupita Barrera; sons, Agustin Barrera III (Yajaira Y.), and Pedro Barrera; mother-in-law, Guadalupe Barrera; grandchildren, Arianna Jazmin and Zulema Anahi Hinojosa, Damian, Ximena Ariel, Agustin IV, and Emiliano Barrera, siblings, Napoleon Garces, Manuel Garces, Nahela Medrano, Olga Cavazos, Juan Garces, Margarito Garces, Cesar Garces, Sonia Garces, Javier Garces, Cristina Cavazos, Elizabeth Duarte, Anna Perez, Rolando Garces, Mirtala Garces, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, December 30th, 10am-9pm, with a Celebration of Life at 6pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. A prayer service will be held Saturday, December 31st, 1pm, at McCaleb Funeral Home followed by burial at Sacred Park Cemetery.