Obituary of Valerie Flores

Valerie Pryor Flores was born in 1964 in El Paso, Texas. On Sunday, February 27th of 2022, Valerie peacefully passed, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, and was reunited in heaven with her husband, Louie Flores. Valerie graduated from Burgess High School, El Paso, TX in 1982. She continued her education at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1989, while an active sister in Zeta Tau Alpha. In 1985, while at UTEP Valerie met the love of her life, Louie, who was also a student at UTEP. From the very beginning it was clear that the two of them were meant to be and they married in 1992. Valerie and Louie gleefully welcomed Zackery in 1996. In 1999, Valerie and Louie were blessed again when Nickolas joined the family. Valerie began her 30-year career as a fourth-grade teacher in 1989 in El Paso. The Flores family relocated from El Paso, TX to McAllen, TX in 1996, after Louie began his career with the US Border Patrol. Upon moving to McAllen, she followed her passion and continued with her teaching career. It was apparent Valerie had a true gift at teaching as was made evident through the many students, parents, and fellow teachers' lives she touched. Valerie was a friend, mentor, and inspirer and through her efforts she was awarded the following prestigious honors prior to her retirement in 2018 McAllen ISD Garza Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2002-2003 McAllen ISD Perez Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009 Edinburg CISD Lincoln Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018 Edinburg CISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2017-2018 Valerie lost Louie in 2009 and, as a single mother, raised Zackery and Nickolas to become the fine outstanding young men they are today. She will be remembered by friends and coworkers by her great sense of humor, thoughtfulness, and acts of kindness. Her teaching skills and methods touched the lives of so many students and made lasting impression on them and their parents. Valerie is survived by her mother, Gloria Pryor; her children, Zackery Flores, Nickolas (Kayla) Flores; and brothers Chuck (Michele) Pryor and Jeff (Marta) Pryor, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louie Flores, and her father, Carl Pryor. A Celebration of Valerie’s Life will be held on March 17, 2022, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Legacy Chapels, 4610 S Jackson Rd, Edinburg, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held March 22, 2022 at 1:00pm at St. Raphael Parish, 2301 Zanzibar Rd, El Paso, TX followed by a Reception at Eastwood Church of Christ, 10104 Album Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in memory of Valerie at https://gifts.mdanderson.org