Our loving mother, Dr. Gloria Mendoza Palma, affectionately known to her family and friends as Mama, Gramsy, Ate Baby and Glo, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, January 24, 2026. She was 83 years old.

Gloria is survived by her son, Joel (his wife Stephanie and daughters, Mackenzie & Loren) of Jamestown, NC, her son, Joden (his wife Michelle and son, Ryan) of Greensboro, NC, her daughter, Zayda Ogburn (her husband Matt and daughters, Maddy and Maya) of Mooresville NC, her son, Joff (his wife Candy) of Summerfield, NC, her sister, Nora Villar of Melbourne, Australia, her brother, Oscar Mendoza (his wife Marilou) of Manila, Philippines, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews around the world.

In addition to her parents, Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Jose Camacho Palma, her brother, Virgilio Mendoza and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Villar.

Gloria was born October 17,1942 in San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines to the late Manuel Agustin Mendoza and Conrada Pantoja Mendoza. As a teenager, Gloria dreamed of studying abroad in the United States. Always a strong, intelligent and determined woman, she convinced her parents to let her apply to be an exchange student while in high school. As she awaited the response to her application, Gloria, a devout Catholic, visited church every day and prayed to God to grant her this wish, as she repeatedly walked on her knees down the aisle to the altar. To her delight her wish was granted, and she spent a year attending school and living with the lovely Ginman family in Michigan, with whom she kept in touch throughout her life.

Following high school, Gloria went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of the Philippines where she played volleyball and participated in gymnastics. Gloria then followed in her parents’ footsteps and became a physical education teacher at the International School in Manila.

Gloria never forgot the wonderful experience she had in the U.S. with her “foster family”. After meeting and marrying her devoted husband, Joey, and giving birth to their four incredible children, Gloria enrolled at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington and the family immigrated to the United States. At WSU Gloria earned her master’s and PhD in Adapted Physical Education. She then became a college professor and a pioneer in making physical education and recreation accessible to children with disabilities, especially in rural areas from the state of Washington to North Carolina.

In 2011, Gloria retired from the Human Performance and Leisure Studies department at North Carolina A & T State University after 22 years of service. While there she wrote, was awarded and administered multiple U.S. Department of Education grants to train K-12 teachers in adaptive physical education for students with disabilities. She also initiated and developed the curriculum for the university’s Master of Science in Physical Education and Health with a focus on Adapted Physical Education (APE). In 2002-03, Gloria was named Teacher of the Year for the Education Department at NC A&T. She was an active member of the National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities, published numerous articles and represented the university at many national and international conferences during her tenure. 

An exercise and sports enthusiast, Gloria remained active and physically fit throughout her life. She enjoyed Zumba classes and teaching traditional Filipino dances to members of the local Filipino American community. She also enjoyed her weekly mahjong games with her Filipino American friends.

The family will receive family and friends from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at Pierce?Jefferson Funeral Home in Greensboro, NC on Sunday, February 8, 2026. A celebration of life and interment will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2715 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro, NC.

In lieu or consequent to flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gloria’s honor to Authoracare Collective Hospice of Alamance County and Greensboro or Special Olympics of North Carolina