Gloria Baiz Flores

1943 - 2022

Gloria Baiz Flores
February 9, 1943 - February 25, 2022
Fresno, California - Gloria Baiz Flores, age 79, passed away unexpectedly on February 25th, 2022. She was born in Brawley on February 9th, 1943, and was the second of five daughters raised by her parents, fieldworkers Jesus Parra Baiz and Jesse Martinez Baiz who preceded her in death.
Gloria and her family moved to Fresno when she was 12 years old. She attended Madison Elementary and is a 1961 graduate of San Joaquin Memorial. While in high school, Gloria worked at several local department stores, including Kingen's in Chinatown, Grants and Rodder's Mademoiselle. From these experiences in business, Gloria went on to earn a degree in accounting from Central California Commercial College.
In her first full-time job, Gloria served as an assistant to KMJ-580 talk show host Craig Mollison coordinating schedules with various dignitaries he'd invite on his show. She also worked as an office assistant at the Fresno County Department of Social Services and California Workmen's Comp, retiring in 2006.
Gloria married the love of her life, Alfred Flores Jr., in 1962 shortly after his return from a U.S. Navy assignment in the Western Pacific (WESPAC). They were married for 59 ½ years and were blessed with three children.
Gloria was well-known throughout the area for her beautiful voice. Whether she was singing the National Anthem at a Fresno Elks Lodge event, or romantic songs at a church fundraiser or singing with her mariachi tutor, the well-known musician Manuel D. Gonzalez of the famous local band "Mariachi Santa Cruz," or groups like "Los Camperos of Los Angeles", audiences recognized her passion for singing immediately. When people would offer to pay her to sing, she'd always decline saying "God blessed me with this voice and I'm just returning the favor."
One of her most memorable singing moments came in 1975 when, at the request of Mayor Ted C. Wills, she sang for the then Ambassador of Israel. In addition to singing, Gloria loved travelling to many parts of the world including Italy, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Hungary, France, and England but her favorite spot was Hawaii!
She was also active in many organizations and activities. She was a Life Member of the VFW Post 8900 Auxiliary, a member of the Calwa Lion's Club, the Guadalupana Society – St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and the choir formed by CSUF and the Fresno Philharmonic. She was also one of the founders of Family Support for the 144th Fighter Wing-ANG Fresno and a past Chairman of the Mexican Independence Day Parade for the Mexican Civic Committee.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Alfred; three children, daughter Raquel Hotz, and sons Alfred Flores III (Gracie) and Gabe Flores (Megan); five grandchildren, Marissa Hotz, Douglas Hotz, Alfred Flores IV, Christian Flores, and Daly Gloria Flores; four sisters, Mary, Ophelia, Sandra, and Sylvia; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of loving friends.
One of Gloria's favorite sayings was "In life everything has a beginning, and everything has an end." In death, however, there is no end. Until we meet again…
Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair are coordinating funeral services. Visitation is from 2-4pm Sunday, March 13th, 2022, at the funeral home, followed immediately by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Monday, March 14th, 2022, at 10am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and the Rite of Committal will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery. In recognition of Gloria's favorite color, the family asks that attendees consider wearing something red if they have it.