Gloria Mae Frances Debus Schwartz, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her husband, seven children and spouses on the evening of September 2, 2023 in Shannon Hospital. An aggressive lung cancer was the final battle for the “miracle woman” who survived West Nile, Q fever, a heart attack and a couple other close calls.
Gloria was born on February 8, 1935 in San Angelo, Texas to John and Amelia Debus. She grew up working on the farm in Wall, Texas with her four sisters raising cattle, turkeys, ducks, chickens, sheep, guineas, geese and anything else that would make money. Her parents made sure that all the girls were educated. She attended Catholic School in San Angelo, Wall High School through the 10th grade and graduated from San Angelo High School in 1953. She then went to San Angelo College where she played volleyball and earned an associate degree. She earned her teaching degree at Incarnate Word in San Antonio and taught at Angelo Catholic for four years. She often told us about having a class of 64 second graders. She was a very creative teacher and made a lasting impression on her students. As adults, her students would seek her out to reminiscence.
Gloria married the love of her life, Erwin Frank Schwartz Sr., on July 2, 1959 after courting for many years. Teaching was her profession until her first child was born, then she became a “farmer’s wife”, mom, homemaker, caregiver, and volunteer. Her faith-filled home was always open to all and no one left hungry. She prepared home cooked meals daily which fed 15 to 20 people. The produce for meals was home grown, which she would can, freeze or prepare fresh for the table. She taught her own children to take initiative, make the most of what you had, work-hard, pray, and always do your best and keep the faith.
As a proud supporter of the Wall community, she lived a life of service for her family, church and always looked out for those in need. Gloria was an active member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Catholic Daughter’s and St Helen’s Altar Society. She played the organ for the choir for many years and taught catechism for over 35 years using the Baltimore catechism. As her children were going through school, Gloria could be found volunteering for the Fairview PTA, Wall FFA and any other organization which supported the education of her children. Many hours were spent watching and encouraging her children and grandchildren show pigs at stock shows, play football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, and other academic events. At stock shows, she always brought enough food to feed her family plus many extras; no one left hungry. The 4-H county extension “egg to chick” program benefited from hundreds of dozens of eggs for classroom in the county. Sacrificing, serving and giving were easy.
Intelligent, talented, courageous, strong-willed, brave, caring are a few words which describe Gloria. She was a terrific seamstress, sewing bridesmaid dresses, uniforms, and costumes. She could whip up a meal out of nothing in no time when family and friends would drop in. She was ahead of her times with helping people find their smartness. She provided many creative activities for her children and grandchildren to develop their talents and imagination. Education for her children and grandchildren was a top priority. She was very proud that all 19 grandchildren earned a bachelor’s degree. Her memory was unbelievable. We will all miss our “encyclopedia of knowledge.”
Gloria is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Erwin Frank Schwartz Sr. and seven children and spouses, Amy and John Lange, Erwin Jr. (Frankie) and Theresa Schwartz, Paul and Tara Schwartz, Stacie and Clay Riddle, Shelley and Carl Halfmann, Randal and Tami Schwartz, and Dale Schwartz. Gloria’s pride and joy were her 19 grandchildren and 19 plus one on the way great-grandchildren: Jacob and Lauren Lange (Jarett and Kennli), Johanna Lange, Nathan Schwartz and Megan (Harper), Rachel and Wesley Doss (Weston and William), Nolan and Shannon Schwartz (Emmett), Amber Schwartz, Marissia and Ryan Barnett (Wyatt), Macy and Travis Stovall (Berkley and Owen), Lauren and Trevor Hahn (Kase and Samson), Megan and Derek Doss (Kyleigh, Heidi and Lance), Seth and Paige Riddle (Everett and Addison), Miranda and Mitchell Woodside (Charlotte), Sloan and Christian Garcia (Oliver and ? November boy), Dawson and Kassidy Halfmann (Rhen), Bailey and Kyle Fischer, Dayton Halfmann, Trent and Courtney Schwartz, Tate and Jordan Schwartz, and Trevor Schwartz. She is survived by her in-laws: Bernice Matthiesen, Rose Marie Schwartz, Alfonse Schwartz, Ann Schwartz, George and Doris Schwartz and John Schwartz, also, special cousins Virginia Debus and Del Schwertner. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many others who she has taken under her wing who called her “Mema.”
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, John and Amelia Debus, sisters and spouses, Alfrieda and Elmer Braden, Jerline and August Frysak, infant brother August Frank Debus, sister Genevieve Schwartz and special cousins Howard Debus and Harold Schwertner, in-laws, Walter and Dorothy Schwartz, Beatrice and Laddie Socha, Joe Calvin Schwartz, Victor Matthiesen, Ruby Schwartz and Alfred Schwartz.
A rosary will be held at 6 p.m. on September 4, 2023 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Wall, Texas. The mass for Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on September 5, 2023 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Wall, Texas.
The family request that honorary memorials be made to the Rev. Bernard J. Binversie Seminarian Burse, Meals for the Elderly, St. Jude’s, EWTN or your favorite charity.
Gloria served, sacrificed, prayed and shared her faith through many ways in her life. Well done good and faithful servant. We will miss you and love you forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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