Remembering Gloria Morris Ashford, Mother of State Sen. Royce West

The mother of Texas state Sen. Royce West, Gloria Morris Ashford, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the age of 92.

In announcing his mother’s death, Sen. West said, “May she rest in His arms and rise when He calls for us all. Please keep my family in your prayers.”

Fellow elected officials and community leaders, along with friends and constituents, expressed their condolences in a large outpouring of support for Sen. West and his family.

“It was an honor to know your mother. She was a strong woman and loved you dearly,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.

“I am so sorry for your loss. She was such a lovely lady and so proud of all of your accomplishments. May you and your family be comforted by the many wonderful memories you shared with her,” said Calvert Collins, of the Methodist Health Care Foundation.

Mrs. Ashford was born on October 11, 1930. She worked as a nurse for more than 20 years at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Dallas. She is survived by three children, Willis Kevin West, Royce Barry West (The Honorable) and Zina Y. Ashford, and was preceded in death by her son, Morris Larry West.

Today, Sen. West and his siblings released this statement, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Gloria Morris Ashford. She was a light in this world for 92 years, and now we need to continue shining her light by carrying it within us in our own lives.”

UNT Dallas offers our condolences to Sen. West, who has been a steadfast advocate of public education and an influential force in the establishment, support and success of the university.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, at Concord Missionary Baptist Church, 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr. in Dallas, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Remarcus Larry West Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of North Texas at Dallas. The scholarship is named in memory of Sen. West’s son Remarcus, who died in 2011 at the age of 33.

Donations to the scholarship fund may be made by check and mailed to the University of North Texas at Dallas, Office of University Advancement, Attn: Remarcus L. West Scholarship Fund (in memory of Gloria Morris Ashford), 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75241, or online here: https://one.unt.edu/dallas/giving

If you wish to make a wire transfer, please contact Derrick Morgan at derrick.morgan@untdallas.edu or call (972) 338.1845.