Gloria Lorraine (Leach) Clifford, 95, of Tomball, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. Gloria was born to Winnie Laura (Hoffpauir) Leach and James Hughlin Leach on June 21, 1925.
Gloria is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Lehr Clifford.
She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Derr of Tomball; her son, Craig Clifford and his wife Mallory Young of Stephenville; her grandson, Kyle Derr and his wife Rachel Derr of Austin; and her greatgranddaughter, Sara Gloria Derr.
Growing up in the Great Depression and coming of age during World War II, Gloria graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette), where she met Edward Lehr Clifford, who was attending SLI after returning from World War II. They were married on Nov. 22, 1947 in Lafayette, La. With their one-year-old son, they moved from Louisiana to Houston in 1952. Gloria and her husband retired to 100 acres outside of Schulenburg in 1977. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. In 2012, Gloria moved to Tomball to be near her daughter. She had a house built on the edge of town, and she spent her final eight years in that house.
In addition to raising her children and managing the household, she was always lending her talents wherever they were needed. When her husband started Shoreline Geophysics, she kept the books. She was a teacher’s aide in Houston when her children were growing up. An avid reader herself, for many years she volunteered at the Schulenburg Public Library. She had many interests, including growing flowers, especially day lilies. She crocheted afghans and bedspreads for everyone in the family, and for the last few years of her life she made stuffed crocheted animals and knitted baby caps that she would donate for children and infants in area hospitals. She took joy from seeing her own children grow up and make their mark on the world. She welcomed everyone who married into the family with open arms. She was the heart and soul of her family.
She was an accommodating person of great generosity but also a person of spirited independence, even more so in her later years. She was a great friend to many people throughout her long life. She was patient, meticulous, studious, and wise. She followed the cultural and political developments of the country with great interest and understanding, and, as her children can tell you, she formed her own opinions about the issues of the day and she was not afraid to express them.
Gloria Clifford was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in the Schulenburg City Cemetery next to her husband Edward Clifford. Due to the pandemic, the immediate family had a small graveside ceremony and will plan a larger memorial when the pandemic is over.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Schulenburg Public Library Foundation at 310 Simpson Street, Schulenburg, TX 78956. The library can be reached at 979-743-3345.
Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.