Gloria Abigail Vela

Gloria Abigail Vela “Glowie” is the life of the party! Her light shines to honor people and the Lord in all she does. The Lord decided it was time to take that light to heaven on Sunday, July 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

“the joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10

Glowie was born in Edinburg, TX, grew up in Pharr, TX, and resided in Pflugerville/Georgetown, TX. She is a giving, joyful, hardworking wife, mother, and Glowie. She is survived by her husband, daughters, and grandchildren, who are her whole world and loves with all her heart and soul:

Javier Jaime Vela; Carla Salazar (husband Enrique, children Caleb, Claudia, and Eden); Amanda Chavez (husband Miguel, children Raul and Victoria); her sisters Becky and Irene; many in-laws, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and neighbors whose lives she had an impact on (too numerous to list, but not forgotten). She is preceded to heaven by her parents, Adolfo and Irene Benavidez, and her siblings, Beatrice and Adolfo Jr.

“Work hard, play harder” comes to mind when thinking about Glowie’s career. Her professional life consisted of running various offices; however, for the majority of her career, she was the office manager at REL. Glowie’s naturally organized, determined, and direct nature helped her create procedures and systems that helped companies thrive, but her heart helped her work environments become a family. Glowie may have worked for livelihood, but retired life was her joy because she could fully immerse herself in her husband, girls, grandbabies, her mama and family.

Knowing Glowie meant you celebrated with her in some way! She made everything she did a celebration and made the best of every moment by adopting everyone she was around. Glowie found joy in going to her grandbabies' events, Longhorn football games, parties, neighbor visits, phone calls, shopping, church, traveling, and crafts (especially blinging things). Undoubtedly, she lived. Lived through music, through dancing, through trusting her gut, through pouring herself into God, which helped her shepherd those most precious to her. Her stubbornness gave her a “never give up” attitude that she inflicted on pesky telemarketers and poor retail workers (not wanting to give her the sale she deserved), but most importantly, it was put toward the people she loved, inspiring us to be our best. Glowie’s heart for people was her true sparkle. Regardless of whatever hurt was in their heart, she prayed them through and had mountain-moving faith that God’s grace would overcome. She believes we live for a big God that can do big miracles. What’s bittersweet is while she was waiting for her miracle, she reminded us that she is our little miracle in all her radiance, loyalty, acceptance, faith, and love that wraps around us completely, just like her hugs.

Her Celebration of Life is on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:30 am at Shield of Faith Assembly of God (1300 W. Pflugerville Pkwy Bldg 4, Pflugerville, TX), with light refreshments to follow. Her family wants to hear the stories and your heart for Glowie because memories hold so much love. We feel that it keeps her with us and brings comfort and joy. All are welcome to share for a few minutes to celebrate her.

Flowers can be sent to the Shield of Faith Assembly of God from 1 - 5 pm on Friday, August 2, 2024.