Gloria passed away on Friday, October 31, 2014, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on a frosty morning, January 1, 1926, in Giddings, Texas, in the home of her Johnson grandparents. Her grandfather, Dr. J.M. Johnson, attended her birth. She was the first baby born in Lee County that day. Her parents were William Orrin Bowers, Jr. and Marjorie Johnson Bowers.
She moved to Beaumont when she was two years old and attended Averill Elementary School, Dick Dowling Jr. High, and Beaumont High School in the graduating class of 1943. Gloria graduated with honors from the University of Texas in Austin in 1947 majoring in Sociology and Psychology. While at Texas, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a Bluebonnet Belle nominee, Ashbel Literary Society, and the Sociology Honorary Society.
Gloria married her first grade sweetheart, Mack Fulbright, on July 6, 1946. They had three daughters; Dianne, Suzzi, and Jan. Gloria was active as a Charter Member at Calder Baptist Church and a community volunteer. She was President of the Junior League, Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae, and the Magnolia Garden Club. In addition, she served on the boards of the Art Museum, Sabine Oaks, Some Other Place, Buckner Children’s Auxiliary, and the Colonial Dames.
As a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she is survived by her husband of 68 years Mack Fulbright; daughters, Dianne Christian and husband, Bill, of Beaumont; Suzzi Perry and husband, Randy, of Dallas; and Jan Fulbright of Beaumont; grandchildren, Kendall Hanson and husband, Matt; Canice Swope and husband, Grant; Kara Boudreaux and husband, Brad; Kealy Sehic and husband, Fedja; Collier Christian; Travis Perry and wife, Kelly; Taylor Perry and wife, Kahia; Spencer Perry and wife, Whitney; Katie Oppliger and husband, Ben; Betsy Walker; seventeen adored great-grandchildren, Claire Hanson, Luke Hanson, Ella Hanson, Will Swope, David Swope, Brooks Boudreaux, Reid Boudreaux, James Sehic, Sofia Sehic, Wagner Perry, Mack Perry, Giles Perry, Talia Rose Perry, Shepherd Perry, Marshall Perry, Vee Perry, and Wales Perry. Other relatives include brother-in-law, Bob Anderson; nieces, Kris Anderson, Aileen Clement, and Kit Fensterbush; nephews, Bill Fulbright, Richard Fulbright; and cousin, Mike Muckleroy.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bill Bowers; and sister, Marjorie “Tiny” Anderson.
Her family would like to thank Dr. Robert Birdwell and his nurses Bonnie and Tasha. They would also like to thank Buckner Hospice, especially her nurse Sheri Wagner and devoted caregivers, Shannon, Germaine, Anita, and Lorraine.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 4, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., followed by her funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, with Dr. Jim Fuller officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calder Baptist Church, 1005 North 11th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702; Buckner Children’s Village of Beaumont, 9055 Manion Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Buckner Calder Woods, 7080 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706; and Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0843, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
