Interviewer
Melanie Reyes
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
This interview with El Pasoan Norma Flores reflects on her childhood growing up in Segundo Barrio and the strong family and community ties that shaped her life. Born in 1949 at Newark Methodist Maternity Hospital in South El Paso, she described growing up primarily with her grandmother on Grama St while her parents and siblings lived nearby on Frutas St. Norma shared vivid memories of her neighborhood life, including children playing outside together, helping with household chores and walking to school at Guardian Angel Catholic School. She recalled both joyful and difficult moments, such as spending summers outdoors with family and the tragic death of a schoolmate who was struck by a train near the railroad tracks. Her memories emphasized how close-knit and hardworking the community was despite poverty and limited resources.
Much of the interview focused on the importance of Guardian Angel Church and School in her life. Norma explained that the church became a lifelong source of identity, belonging, and tradition. She attended Guardian Angel School, received all of her sacraments there, got married there, and continues attending church services decades later. She remembered the church bazaars, raffle tickets, music, food, and games as some of the happiest moments of her childhood, describing the church community as “family.” Even after moving away from the neighborhood, she and her relatives remained deeply involved in church activities and fundraising events. Norma emphasized that many people connected to Guardian Angel continue returning because of the emotional attachment and memories tied to the church and the neighborhood.
Norma also reflected on the major changes that have transformed South Central El Paso and the Chamizal area over time. She described how many homes and longtime residents have disappeared, replaced by warehouses and businesses as families moved farther east into areas like Socorro and Horizon. Although the physical landscape has changed, she stressed that the memories and roots of the community remain important. Throughout the interview, she encouraged people to remember where they came from and to value the lessons learned growing up in the barrio. Her stories about friendships, family traditions, neighborhood gatherings, and her lifelong connection to Guardian Angel Church highlighted the enduring sense of resilience, community, and pride that continues to define her memories of the area.
Date of Interview
3-11-2026
Length of Interview
0:40:14
Transcript Number
1840
Length of Transcript
9 pages
Transcriber
Melanie Reyes
Interview Number
1840
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Norma Flores by Melanie Reyes, 2026, "Interview No. 1840," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.