Mrs. Lucrecia "Quecha" Gallardo, age 84, of Dalton, Georgia, departed this life Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Quecha was born May 7, 1939 in Balleza, Chihuahua, Mexico.  She was preceded in death by her father, Anicefaro Valerio, her mother and step-father, Petra Payan and Juan De Dios Montes, her daughter, Teresita Gallardo, granddaughter, Lily Calvillo, sisters, Valentina Valerio, Sofia Valerio, Dolores Montes, Aurelia Montes, Brigida Valerio, brothers, Arturo Valerio, and Carlos Montes.

Quecha is survived by her loving husband of sixty-eight years, Daniel Gallardo of the residence; sons and daughters-in-law, Oscar and Nancy Gallardo of Cohutta, GA, Antonio and Rosa Gallardo, Jesse and Teresa Gallardo; daughters and sons-in-law, Rosa and Antonio Hurtado, Chela Gallardo Salazar, Lupe and Mario Azua, Alicia and Jaime Martinez all of Dalton, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Carmelo and Guadalupe Montes; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lorenza Valerio and Jose Inez Hernandez, Rosa Maria Montes all of Mexico, and Elijiah Montes and Jesus Aguilera of Las Vegas, NV; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Lucrecia "Quecha" Gallardo will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with her daughter, Lupe Azua and granddaughter, Jessica Brock delivering the eulogy and, Reverend Praxedis Gomez officiating. She will be laid to rest at Ponders Colonial Hills Memorial Park Cemetery with Oscar Gallardo, Jesse Gallardo, Mark Gallardo, Jesse Alejandro Gallardo, Jaime Martinez, Daniel Salazar, Juan Salazar, David Salazar and Tony Hurtado honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday and after 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning until the service hour.

Our family has lost its heart and soul: Lucrecia "Quecha/Guela" Gallardo.
Our grandma was my first soulmate. The quintessential Mexican abuela who filled our lives with love, wisdom, and countless family gatherings centered around her delicious homemade meals. She was vivacious, fierce and took no crap from anyone. She was just as loving, kind and giving as she was fiery. From providing advice to sharing stories to lending a listening ear, she was always there for anyone who needed her. Her resilience and strength were as much a lesson in character as they were a testament to her indomitable spirit. She and my grandpa were together for 68 remarkable years. Together, they had 7 children, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. I will forever be grateful for the tight-knit family they've built. She spent her last days at home surrounded by those she cared for so deeply, and I take comfort in knowing her legacy of love and family unity will continue on. Her spirit will also live on in the countless beautiful memories she has left us with.

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Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, 706.226.4002www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org.