Obituary for Gloria Florene Herington (Kepley)
Gloria (Kepley) Herington passed from this life on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 in Lubbock after a brief illness at the age of 87 years and 8 months. She was born September 14, 1931 in Clovis, New Mexico to Fred Eldon and Flora (Foote) Kepley. She married John Wesley (J.W.) Herington on September 17, 1949 in Clovis, New Mexico.
Gloria lived in Oklahoma Lane and West Camp communities near Muleshoe her entire life. She was the youngest of three sisters, and attended school in Oklahoma Lane. Though her hometown was small, Gloria’s life was anything but. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Muleshoe where she enjoyed Bible study with friends. She was an avid reader, a talented seamstress, a tap dancer and a square and round dancer. Gloria played the organ and piano, had her pilot’s license, rode Harley Davidson motorcycles and was a ham radio operator. She is most fondly remembered for her kind heart, gardening and baking skills. Gloria amazed everyone by her ability to transform tiny seedlings or cuttings into plants as full of life as she was. Her brownies, pies and Thanksgiving turkey and dressing were her signature dishes and have yet to be rivaled. Perhaps Gloria’s greatest accomplishment was her love and witness for Jesus. Even in her last days, she ministered to young and old women alike, telling them about Jesus, about how it IS possible to be married for seven decades and encouraging them in their own walk with our Lord. Her own ministry is beautifully captured by a poem she wrote at age 75 called, “Sunrise with God”. “Your joy is seen in the deeds we do without a thought, to help others enjoy the day too.” It was impossible to not enjoy the day when Gloria was around. For her, kindness was as natural as breathing. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Ora Smith and Bonnie Jean Paine.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 69 years, J.W. Herington of Muleshoe, Texas; her daughter, Ellen Gallman and her husband, Robert of Lazbuddie, Texas, her son, Jay Herington and his wife, JoAnn of Troupe, Texas, her daughter, Karan Newsom and her husband, Darrell of Wolfforth, Texas, and her daughter, Ginger Lucas of Lubbock, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, that memorials be sent to the Muleshoe Public Library, 322 West 2nd Street, Muleshoe, Texas, 79347 or the charity of your choice.
Gloria lived in Oklahoma Lane and West Camp communities near Muleshoe her entire life. She was the youngest of three sisters, and attended school in Oklahoma Lane. Though her hometown was small, Gloria’s life was anything but. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Muleshoe where she enjoyed Bible study with friends. She was an avid reader, a talented seamstress, a tap dancer and a square and round dancer. Gloria played the organ and piano, had her pilot’s license, rode Harley Davidson motorcycles and was a ham radio operator. She is most fondly remembered for her kind heart, gardening and baking skills. Gloria amazed everyone by her ability to transform tiny seedlings or cuttings into plants as full of life as she was. Her brownies, pies and Thanksgiving turkey and dressing were her signature dishes and have yet to be rivaled. Perhaps Gloria’s greatest accomplishment was her love and witness for Jesus. Even in her last days, she ministered to young and old women alike, telling them about Jesus, about how it IS possible to be married for seven decades and encouraging them in their own walk with our Lord. Her own ministry is beautifully captured by a poem she wrote at age 75 called, “Sunrise with God”. “Your joy is seen in the deeds we do without a thought, to help others enjoy the day too.” It was impossible to not enjoy the day when Gloria was around. For her, kindness was as natural as breathing. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Ora Smith and Bonnie Jean Paine.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 69 years, J.W. Herington of Muleshoe, Texas; her daughter, Ellen Gallman and her husband, Robert of Lazbuddie, Texas, her son, Jay Herington and his wife, JoAnn of Troupe, Texas, her daughter, Karan Newsom and her husband, Darrell of Wolfforth, Texas, and her daughter, Ginger Lucas of Lubbock, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, that memorials be sent to the Muleshoe Public Library, 322 West 2nd Street, Muleshoe, Texas, 79347 or the charity of your choice.