Mildred Snowden Gandin

Mrs. Mildred Dolly (Snowden) Gandin, born on August 17, 1921 in Marilee/Celina (Collin County), Texas, to Viola and Porter Snowden, passed away at age 97 on August 18, 2018. Mildred moved at an early age with her family to the Heights in Houston, where she grew up with her two brothers and two sisters. While attending Reagan High School, she was introduced by her older brother, W.G., to the love of her life, Bill Gandin. They were married on his 21st birthday, July 17, 1942, and celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary just prior to her passing.

Mildred and Bill journeyed together through World War II and the Korean conflict. She worked for the former Humble Oil Company until her sons came along, at which time she devoted her time and energy to building a secure home in Oak Forest for her husband and their three sons. Except for a nine month sojourn in Tripoli, Libya, they lived in this home for sixty years.

During these many years, Mildred unselfishly gave of herself to the Oak Forest and greater Houston communities. Her gifts included becoming a PTA president, Oak Forest Dad’s Club mom, and Exxon Annuitants Club supporter.

Above all else, Mildred gave her all to scouting and her church. She served as a Den Mother for Pack 604, while at the same time supporting in many other ways her husband’s serving as Cub Master, during which time they shepherded over 100 boys.

She continued to support her sons’ scouting careers as they moved on to Troop 604. She and Bill didn’t stop their service until long after their sons had earned their Eagle Scout awards. This included trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for advanced scout training. Because of her tireless service to Scouting, she was honored with one of the first Silver Fawn medals the Sam Houston Council awarded. She was later honored for her service to scouting and the United Methodist Church with the rarely given Torch Award.

In addition to all this, Mildred may have impacted the most young men by baking from scratch a “double recipe” banana pudding for any scout in Troop 604 on the occasion of his being presented the Eagle Scout award. It is estimated that she baked and presented over 500 of these coveted banana puddings!

Her other place of service was her much loved St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church. She and Bill were almost charter members, and they faithfully attended worship until health concerns no longer allowed them to do so. Mildred taught a children’s Sunday School class and Vacation Bible school groups for well over twenty-five years. She and many other young women became the Church’s conscience through their service in the United Methodist Women. Not the least important of her “church work” was her unwavering acceptance and support of each and every one of her pastors.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Porter and Viola Snowden, her brothers, Walter Snowden and Glen Snowden, and her sisters, Hazel Busch and Helen Voigt. In addition to her beloved husband, Bill, Mildred is survived by her sons, William B. Gandin, Jr. and wife, Robin, Paul S. Gandin, and David L. Gandin and wife, Renee; grandchildren Paul Gandin, Jr., Jennifer Gandin Le and husband, Vu, Brittany Gandin and husband, Justin Miller, Suzanna Hosein and husband Danny, Jacob Kilgore and wife, Leslie, Allison Gandin, and Maddie Gandin; great-grandchildren Felix Gandin Le, Nino Gandin Le, and Eleanor Hosein; sisters-in-law Berniece Snowden and Eileen Gandin; along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families and too many friends to count.

Friends and family can pay their respects at public visitation on Friday, August 24 from 6 to 8 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston. A graveside service officiated by Rev. Nathan Bledsoe, will take place on Saturday, August 25th at 11 am, also at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. A memorial service, officiated by Rev. Nathan Bledsoe and Rev. Richard White, will follow at 2pm at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd Street, Houston.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in Mildred’s memory to Boy Scout Troop 604 and/or St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, Houston.