Gloria Z. Daniel

Gloria Z. Daniel, of Waco, passed into the arms of her Lord Friday, September 30, 2022, at the age of 95. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 4, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. The Rosary will follow at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Louis Catholic Church of Waco Wednesday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the Mass at Oakwood Cemetery.

Gloria was born August 24, 1927, to Anthony and Lena Zavelli in Memphis, Tennessee. Gloria met her future husband, Ralph C. Daniel, as a young teenager while playing baseball in the streets of Memphis. When Ralph returned to Memphis after World War II, they met again and were married on June 6, 1946. Gloria and Ralph were happily married for 46 years, until Ralph’s death in 1993.

Gloria and Ralph were blessed with five healthy children: Ralph Jr., Stephen, Diane, Dennis, and Denise. They moved to Waco in 1966 and were together there until Ralph’s passing in 1993. Gloria remained in Waco an additional 12 years, eventually moving to Georgetown in 2005. She enjoyed her friends and family in Georgetown until stricken by dementia in 2015. She moved to Stoney Brook of Hewitt in 2017.

Gloria was a natural mother and always had the sweetest disposition. Miss Glo was loved by everyone she met and shared that love with others. Even in her last days, she was quick with a smile and a quip. She loved to read and after her husband’s retirement and death, she volunteered by reading to children and helping others learn English as a second language. Her strong faith guided her life and helped her cope with the loss of her son Stephen in 1969 and the love of her life in 1993. She was a long-term member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; beloved stepmother, Lois Zavelli; husband, Ralph; son, Stephen; brother, James Zavelli and wife, Barbara; sister, Cheryl Zavelli; and great-granddaughter, Alaena Flynn.

She is survived by her children, Ralph Daniel, of Katy; Diane Daniel, of Georgetown; Dennis and Celia Daniel, of Louisville, Tennessee; and Denise and Robert Kelly, of Sylmar, California; grandchildren, Stephen and Heidi Daniel, Meagan and Andrew Flynn, and Lauren and Peter Kniesler; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Clorinda King, of Mason, Ohio.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Daniel, Andrew Flynn, Peter Kniesler, Richard Bienvenue, David Sieja, and Michael Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Gloria’s name to St. Louis Catholic Church for the preservation of a stained-glass window in her memory. Donations may also be made to the Employee Christmas Fund at Stoney Brook of Hewitt.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff at Stoney Brook of Hewitt for their wonderful care and support of Gloria for almost five years.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.