Gloria L. Becerra

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Gloria Lucio Becerra, Beloved Mother, who left us peacefully at home on 8 June 2024 at the age of 88 years. She is preceded by her husband, Manuel Luna Becerra; her parents, Guadalupe and Juanita Lucio; baby daughter, Juanita Becerra; brother, Demetrio Lucio; niece, Irene Gonzalez (Mauro +) and three grandchildren. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final days and moments. Teaching was her passion and she taught both in the San Benito school district 1955-1964 and 1970-2014, and the Harlingen school district 1965-1969. She started her career at Fred Booth 1955-1957, then onto Frank Roberts Elementary School 1957-1964/1973-1974, Sullivan Elementary 1970-1972, Dr Cash Elementary 1976-1993, and Ed Downs Elementary School teaching there 1972-1973, 1974-1976, 1993 retiring from there in 2014, after 59 years. In those years, she taught thousands of children who are now successful adults and still remember, Mrs. B--the patient, loving and caring teacher that got them started. It was very common for her to be shopping with one of her many nieces, but especially Toni Gomez, a fellow teacher that she spent many years mentoring, to be stopped by a former student wanting to say ‘hello’ to their beloved teacher. Gloria Becerra was a “Teaching Superstar” and in a cover article in the “Valley Morning Star” in May 2012, the Headline read, “LIVE TO TEACH Educator of 57 Years still enjoys going to school”.

Gardening was a big part of her life. She would ask her husband to drive to different places looking for different plants, but succulents had a special appeal. In 2015 on a trip to the nation’s capital with her son Robert and family, her visit to the “US Botanical Garden” was one of the highlights of her visit. She enjoyed seeing the many plants from all over our country, including those found during the “Lewis and Clark Expedition”—ever the teacher! In November 2014, she took the trip of a Lifetime with her sister Victoria Gibbs to the “Holy Land”. It was a trip that profoundly impacted her, as she was a Devout Catholic and strong Woman of Faith, a great woman with immense wisdom. Many will miss her advice and calm loving manner, but she gifted family members Catholic books and literature to be sure they had the Word in their hand. Her collection of Nativity scenes is tremendous and include sculptures of faith collected from around the world. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. You could always go to her for guidance.

The only thing that brought her home from the classroom, was her love and devotion to her family.  She spent her last years caring for her husband, and loving her sons, Joseph and Robert, and grandchildren, Alyssa Valdez (Tony), Jonathon Becerra, Nicholas Becerra, Robbie Becerra, Brandon Wooten and Anthony Wooten. Left to remember Gloria are her sons Joseph Becerra and M. Robert Becerra (Catherine), six grandchildren, Alyssa Valdez (Tony), Nicholas Becerra, Jonathan Becerra, M. Robert Becerra II (Kayla Camarillo), Brandon Wooten and Anthony Wooten; and three great grandchildren Noah Valdez, Eliana Marie Valdez and Aiden Wooten. She is also survived by her sisters Ramona Rodriquez, Maria LaFon and Irma Gibbs. One nephew, Enrique Torres (Josefa) and eight nieces, Toni Gomez (Valdo +), Beda Hernandez (Noe), Rachel Alvarez (Ernesto +), MaryJane Mata (Albert), Debra Torres (Diana), Michelle Robertson (Gordon), JoAnn Fisher (Brady +) and Anita McNabb (Keith). Her husband, Manuel Becerra had a large family and they loved and were loved by Gloria so she also leaves many, many nieces and nephews to cherish her memory. 

The visitation will be Sunday June 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening. (This event will be livestream at: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxODQxNjY3NzMxNDA4MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== The Funeral Mass will be Monday, June 17th at 1:00 p.m. at Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, the procession will leave the funeral home about 12:30 p.m. The funeral home will be open at 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning for anyone wanting to stop by early.