Gloria Jean Roberts

Gloria Jean Roberts was born September 9, 1946, to Adelina and Cristobal Castro as their 2nd child in Floresville, Texas. She was raised with her siblings Rebecca, Jesse, Mary, Cristobal Junior, Adelina, and Josie. Gloria’s faith in God started with her mother and her baptism into the catholic faith at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as an infant. She grew in her relationship with God each year at the Sacred Heart Catholic School, where she received her confirmation upon graduation. This faith-filled childhood started a long faith-filled life in the Catholic Church and with God. Upon graduating from Floresville High School, she moved from home to live in Huntsville, Alabama, at the Redstone Arsenal with her sister Rebecca and her husband, Daniel. She later moved to New York City, where her life would forever change. When a young soldier, James Michael Roberts, from Virginia, was visiting his father, who worked at the restaurant, noticed late one evening, directly outside the restaurant window; Gloria and her aunt attempted to get a taxi as the rain poured; however, those nearby were off duty and would not take a fare. Since it was very late, James went out and offered to give them a ride which Gloria was thankful for and gladly accepted. Unfortunately, however, the destination was far from their home, so the young soldier stayed to offer them a ride back home, to which Gloria and her aunt were surprised that he waited. It was not until the ride home that James learned Gloria Jean Castro’s name and that she was from Texas. Gloria was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he took a chance at asking her out before James had to return to his military base in Virginia. But, as he built up his courage, the words just can out without thinking, “You have the most beautiful big brown cow eyes I have ever seen. Will you go out with me?” Then he realized what he had said, but before he could attempt to say something intelligent, she said yes. After several continued monthly weekend visits from James, the couple knew they were meant for each other and decided to get married. So, on October 1, 1966, they traveled to Maryland and were married by the Reverend Thomas Davis at the Little Wedding Chapel in Elkton, Maryland. In 1967, they later married into the Catholic Church in Okinawa, Japan. Gloria proved her commitment to God through love and devotion by raising our two daughters in the Catholic faith and Church. In addition, to her life as a working mother, she always served others and served the Church. After watching his wife’s devotion and selflessness to help those around her and continued love for God, her husband, James, also converted to Catholicism. Though struggles were around, as a military couple who moved around the world, Gloria continued to present herself as a disciple of God and teach his word wherever they lived. Of Gloria’s many jobs throughout her life, teaching adult Catechism, counseling young mothers during their pregnancies and early motherhood, and volunteering at homeless shelters, her dedication to helping others was the most rewarding. She not only spoke of God’s word to everyone she met, she constantly donated food and clothing to the homeless and those in need, especially families and children, around holidays. After moving between Japan, Germany, Hawaii, and California, Gloria settled with her husband in Severn, Maryland, where James retired from the military and bought a house in 1986. That house is where Gloria continued her worship and raised her family, including her youngest child Kimberlly, who currently resides, and her granddaughter, Chelcey, who was raised in this home. Gloria and James helped raise Chelcey as her mom was a single mom, and Chelcey always loved how blessed she was to have three parents. Throughout her life, Gloria continued to travel for vacations and always made a point to visit her family back home in Texas. Her family was always on her mind and of utmost importance to her. Gloria’s house was always open to those in need and filled her home with her love of God and the love of others. She was an active member in the St. Bernadette’s Parish as a Eucharistic Minister alongside her husband, James, and was a continued active member of the Parish. After Gloria dedicated 32 years as a Medical Supplies Coordinator for Kimbrough Hospital on Ft. Meade, she chose to retire, relax, enjoy her life, go on many vacations with her husband, and spend time with her family. While Gloria battled brain surgery for aneurysms, pancreatic cancer, and her husband’s cancer, she never lost faith in God’s word. Despite her many struggles and trials, her faith remained strong and she continued to watch mass at home when she could not attend in person. It was her love of God and her family that, against all odds, gave her the strength to survive another three years with cancer, choosing to pass on to heaven on her 76th birthday surrounded by her immediate family in her home in Severn, Maryland. Although she is no longer here on Earth, we know that her soul and spirit are in heaven living an Eternal life with God. Gloria is survived by her husband James M. Roberts of 56 years, their daughter Kimberlly Nordstrom, granddaughter Chelcey Nordstrom (adopted daughter), daughter Courtney Roberts and her spouse Kristine Brenneman, and grandson James A. Roberts. She is also survived by her sister Rebecca and her Husband Daniel Rocha; brother Cristobal Castro; sister Adelina Gutierrez; sister Mary Germer; brother Jesse Castro and his wife Grace Castro; sister Josephine Mainz and her husband Randy Mainz, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will forever be in our hearts and minds. We will love and cherish her forever. The family asks that, in place of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of her memory: https://www.stjude.org/donate/srch/donate-in-honor-or-memory-of-someone.html?frequency_selected=2&sc_dcm=58700006941054386&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&amount=x&gclid=CjwKCAjw1ICZBhAzEiwAFfvFhEU9FKqLHMpXyEJj7xWSzm_yzMSMgjaD4qZijWgOdyViJpzZ1JqPqxoCv7IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds .

Gloria Jean Roberts

September 9, 1946 - September 9, 2022