Gloria Dianne King

Gloria Dianne (Mercer) King, 84, of Cibolo, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, after a prolonged and bravely fought battle with cancer.

A long-time resident of Arlington, Texas, Gloria was born to Jack and Stella Mercer on May 13, 1941, in Fort Worth. It was there she met and married Donald King. In lieu of a honeymoon, the couple dove straight onto the mission field. Together, they worked as missionaries in the Central African Republic and Ethiopia for several years before serving throughout Spain from 1969 through 1989. Upon returning to the United States, Gloria dedicated the remaining 22 years of her career to sustaining the ongoing work of missionaries affiliated with Mount Abarim Baptist Mission International.

Gloria’s faith was truly her foundation. She invested her life in sharing the love of Christ with all she met, with a special focus on women and children. As a Bible study leader, Gloria served as a mentor and model to countless women around the world. The Bethany School (Escola Infantil Betania) that she established in Xàtiva, Spain, continues her legacy of nurturing young minds and hearts in faith. Gloria will long be remembered for her clear-eyed advice; her handwritten notes of encouragement and inspiration; her rich alto harmonies; and of course the pistachio salad (“green stuff”) that she so generously prepared for family celebrations despite her own distaste for the dish.

The beloved mother of Elizabeth Doll (Kevin) and the late Norman King (Tiffany), Gloria cherished her role as “Abuela” to her grandchildren Gloria “Catheryn,” Vanessa, and Stephen “Alex” King; Candice Doll; Samantha Kucher (Benjamin); Jacob Doll (Celeste); and great-grandchildren Lucy Henley and Charles Doll. She will be dearly missed by surviving sister Lana Maxey (Cecil), as well as a host of extended family and loving friends. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Donald, son Norman, and siblings Jack Mercer (Wanda), Boyd Mercer (Nan), Elaine Chapman (Sam), and June Murdock (Milton).

Visitation is scheduled for July 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Kennedale Sublett Road, Kennedale, Texas. Funeral services will be held on July 11, 10 a.m., at Worth Baptist Church, 4900 Campus Drive, Fort Worth, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Worth Baptist Church mission projects.