GLADYS ROUGHTON

1938 - 2025

GLADYS ROUGHTON

June 1, 1938 – Aug. 13, 2025

Born in Chino, California on the first of June 1938, Delores Whitchurch - who friends lovingly referred to as Dody - was the ninth of ten children. She lived most of her life in Brawley, California, marrying her high school sweetheart, Richard Roughton, in Yuma, Arizona in 1955, before graduating from Brawley Union High School in 1956.

Delores, having come from a large family, began building her own, moving into her first home with her husband in 1961 and having one daughter and three sons. She would live in this house for sixty years, raising her children in a home filled with love and countless memories.

She always had a stash of lemon candies for the grandchildren whenever they came through. She was a frequent quilter, making a personal quilt for each grandchild's birth. She crocheted quite a few blankets as well, for each of her children, and most newborns born to the family or close friends. And every Christmas morning, the family would wake to the smell of her homemade tamales, a loved tradition her family will always remember.

Delores, always looking to help her family in any way, volunteered at her kids school when they were young - Witter Elementary - as the librarian, taking pride in her work, and being truly appreciated for making it a better place.

Delores also became an avid golfer, at first to build the bond between herself and her husband, and later, with true love for the sport as well. She went on to win the Women's Presidents Cup and Cabbage Tournament, to name a couple

Later in life, she worked as the snack bar manager in El Centro's original Walmart, sharing smiles with everyone she met, and making more than a few good friends in the process.

Delores was preceded in death by her son, William "Bill" Roughton, and her husband, Richard Roughton.

She is survived by one sibling, (Alice Pullan), and her two youngest sons and daughter: first son being John Roughton and his three sons; second son being Richard Roughton and his two sons and spouse, Sharon Roughton; and daughter being Diana Steward, and her one child. Bill's two children also grieve her passing, as do many of her great-grandchildren, cousins, and friends.

There are no services planned at this time.