Gloria Dean Swayzer Taylor was born on April 15, 1941, to the late Reverend David Swayzer Sr. and the late Lue Ella Beard Swayzer in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  She graduated from Franklin Parrish Training School in 1960, where she was an honor student, cheerleader, and majorette.  She was affectionately known as Gloria Dean by family and friends.

During her senior year of high school, she wrote in her book of Senior Memories, "Onward to Higher Goals!  If I succeed or fail, it is up to me.  My father always instills in us, if the Lord is for you the world cannot do you any harm.  I can be anything I want to be!"  She proclaimed that she would attend college, have a career, get married, have children, travel the world, wear fabulous clothing, own a home, and most of all serve the Lord.  By the grace of God, Gloria Dean did all those things.

After briefly attending college in Los Angeles, California, Gloria Dean relocated to Texas where she made Houston her home.  She was married for 20 years and took pride in building a good life for her family.  Over her career, she worked as a preschool teacher for Neighborhood Centers and later as a youth counselor at a group home.  She had a passion for children and served as a mentor to many of the kids in her community.

Gloria Dean was a ministry leader and bible teacher at church.  She was a faithful member of Berea Missionary Baptist Church and a founding member of Smyrna Baptist Church.  Her enthusiasm to serve extended to her community as well.  Gloria Dean was heavily involved in the civic affairs in her neighborhood and worked in the polling locations during every election.  She made it her responsibility to encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote.

Gloria Dean was preceded in death by her parents and twelve of her sisters and brothers.  She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Tracy (William); sons Donald, Ronald, and Shedrick (Waukesha); sisters Lue Swayzer, Odeal Swayzer-Amy (Charles), Betty Brown, Teresa Swayzer; brothers Samuel Swayzer (Regina), Frank Swayzer, Daniel Swayzer; grandchildren Kamille, Taylor, Crysta, Chadrick, Shedrick II, Nicholas, Jason, Rodney, Christopher (Donald), Christopher (Ronald), and David; six great-grandchildren; God daughter Precious Hunter; God son Jamie Hunter; special sister-friend Virgie Brock-Wesley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allen Dave Funeral Home 2103 Cypress Landing Rd.

Houston, Texas 77090 (p) 713-480-2966 (f) 713-634-2707