Glenda Van Daren Roach of Houston, TX went to her eternal home on September 10, 2020 after being diagnosed with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in March of this year.  She was born to the late William and Loretta Van Daren, October 8, 1951 in Long Beach, CA. She was the eldest of her siblings, Patti Siler, Sheryl Talley, and Valarie Wright. Glenda graduated from Millikan High School in 1969.

She was proceeded by her dad, William Van Daren; her mom, Loretta Swartzell; her stepdad; Dean Swartzell; and her grandson; Kenneth Roach. Glenda is survived by her husband and their three kids; Jason Roach (Kristi Roach), Amy Jordan (William Jordan), and Rachel Miranda (Angel Miranda); and five grandkids; Sean Roach, Kennedy Jordan, William Jordan, Gabriel Miranda, and Genevieve Miranda.

When she was young, she twirled batons and on occasion played with fire batons. She even had the opportunity to twirl for the Ramettes, with the Ram's Football Team in the late 60's.  She tried to share her love of twirling with her girls, which resulted in more than a few bumps and bruises.  She was married to Rudolph Calvin Roach on June 27, 1970 in Long Beach, CA. When Glenda was pregnant with her eldest daughter, she came to know the Lord and was a devout Christian for the rest of her life. Glenda and Rudy moved their young family across country from California to Houston, TX in 1977, and officially became Texans.

Any given Sunday you could find Glenda at church. Those who knew Glenda knew how much she loved the Lord, her family, and her friends. She was never too busy to talk, laugh, comfort, pray or lift up those she loved or any lost soul who needed it. Through the years she collected what her daughters affectionately called orphans. She had a way of finding people that were down, out, in need of love, support and God. She found a lot of them on her bus routes; she drove a school bus for Aldine ISD for many years. Her table was always surrounded by kids who needed a little extra love or Godly wisdom. She never met a stranger; she could walk into the grocery store for milk and walk out with a life long friend.

Glenda was one of the sweetest most compassionate souls. She somehow always knew when someone she loved was going through a difficult time and would randomly call to say, "I love you and am praying for you." She had a prayer and scripture for every occasion.

Her sisters, the Ya-Ya's, will miss sharing a banana split and celebrating their birthdays with her, Glenda's granddaughters will forever cherish their tea parties with GiGi, while Gabriel and Will have fond memories of making "The Cookie" and fresh blueberry muffins in grandma's kitchen.

She will truly be missed by anyone that came in contact with her. She is home now and no longer suffering or in pain. She always told her daughters that when she passed, she wanted a celebration of her life, because while she loved her earthly family, both her biological and the one she crafted herself, she had gone home to be with God and would be waiting with open arms to welcome us all.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 pm at: Stonebridge Church, 1 Stonebridge Church Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77382

Flowers may be delivered to the church address above.