In Memory

Mary Gladys Hernandez

May 13, 1949 – December 10, 2020

Gladys Hernandez passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at the age of 71.   She was born on May 13, 1949 in San Antonio, Texas.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio Perales and Margarita Pulido; son Ruben Gonzales, Jr.; brother Albert Perales.  She is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph; brothers, Alfred Garza and Antonio Perales, Jr.; sister, Gloria Jimenez; sons, Jeff Hernandez and Michael Gonzales (Selma); daughter, Laura Bagley (David); grandsons, Michael Gonzales Jr., Steven Hernandez, Julian Bagley, Joseph Sebastian Hernandez, Brandon Hernandez; granddaughter, Jove Bagley; great-grandson, Asher Gonzales; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys was the third oldest of five children. She began working at an early age, and continued to throughout her life.  She worked for Deluxe Corporation for 30 years where she met her closest friend, Yolanda Morales.  After retiring from Deluxe, Gladys would go on to work for Creative Civilization for 3 years before finding her home at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, retiring as Parish Secretary after 10 years.

Gladys was a devout Catholic.  She was an active member of Holy Spirit Parish, serving on the Guadalupanas Society and LOVESTRONG Steering Committee.  She was a past Board Member of ACTS Mission and an Oblate Associate.  Dame Mary Gladys Hernandez, DCHS, was also a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem since 2011.

In 1994, Gladys married her first love and junior high sweetheart, Joseph—their love spanning over 57 years, from age 14 to 71—and they spent the next 26 years making up for lost time.  Together, they traveled the world, made life-long friendships, created a close-knit, blended family, and grew together in their faith.  God always at the center of their marriage.

Not only was Gladys a loving daughter and wife; she was adored by her children and grandchildren.  She always had a bit of advice, a warm meal, and a gentle hug ready.  She also wasn't afraid to "give it to you straight" if she needed to.

To know Gladys was to love her.  She was fiercely loyal, brutally honest, unfailingly dependable, and always up for a good time.  She loved to sing, dance, cook (she was a GREAT cook), bake, read, and travel.  She took pleasure in the little things like tending to her plants, margaritas at El Jarro, pedicures with her granddaughter, fine wines with her many friends, and her Jack Russell terrier, Penny Lane.

Gladys's legacy will live on through those who knew and loved her.

A Rosary will be held Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78216.  Funeral Mass will take place Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  Interment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.