- Date Of Death: June 17, 2013
- State: Michigan
Gloria Irene Sanchez, 83, of Orlando, Florida, formerly of Cassopolis, died peacefully early in the morning of Monday, June 17, 2013, in her home in the presence of her family.
Gloria was born on April 3, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Levola (Brown) Smith. At the age of 3, she moved to Cassopolis with two siblings Constance and Charles, Jr. to be raised by paternal grandparents E. L. and Leozie Smith on their farm so that their parents could pursue their business endeavors in the Smith Hoist Design and Manufacturing Company. Gloria attended elementary school in Willow Pond and graduated from Englewood High School in Chicago in 1961. She held several jobs, including working in a book bindery, as a switchboard operator, at a nursing home, and in the pathology department of Mother Cabrina Hospital. Hospital work and music were her passions. She was a devoted and active charter member of the House of Prayer Community Church of Cassopolis. Gloria will be greatly missed by family and friends.
She is survived by one daughter, Maria (Dennis) Wooden of Orlando, Florida; three sons, Frederick (Soledad) Smith of Cassopolis; the Reverend Juan (Julie) Sanchez of Fort Wayne; Jose (Heather) Sanchez, Jr., of Wheaton, Illinois; one step-son, Manuel (Marva) Sanchez of Seattle, Washington; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister Constance “Connie” (Bert) Goens of Decatur; former husband, Jose Sanchez, Sr. of Mexico; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Charles R. Smith, Jr.; and one adopted daughter, Gerarda Harris
