Laura Laverne Gardner

Laura Laverne Gardner went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 8th, 2024, at the age of ninety-one. She was born Laura Laverne Walker on May 14th, 1932 to O.W. and Orene Walker of Everman, Texas. She grew up on a dairy farm with two older brothers and two younger sisters. Growing up during the depression left her with many memories of how tough life could be and how much folk suffered during that era. Laura often said, “We did not know we were poor; everybody else was too. We had everything we needed.” She graduated from Birdville High School in 1948 and married her sweetheart John T Gardner on December 6th, 1948.

Growing up on a dairy farm taught Laura the value of hard work and the importance of a close-knit family. When her older brothers joined the service during World War II, her responsibilities on the dairy farm increased due to their absence. She spent countless hours feeding chickens and helping with milk deliveries within the community. After marrying Tommy, it was nearly eight years before they had children, so she “adopted” several nieces and nephews to fill some of her time. Laura worked at home raising her son, John, and daughter, Deanna until they were in high school. At that time, she enjoyed a career as an administrative assistant with Sterling Paint Company in Fort Worth until she retired from that position during the 1990’s.

Laura’s greatest passion was for children and teaching them all about her Lord and Savior. She spent many years at Arlington Community Church teaching the elementary age children. She left lasting impressions on so many of those children that extend to even today.

After she and Tommy retired, they bought a place near Rendon, Texas and settled into making it into their dream home. She loved planting trees, flowers, and vegetable gardening. Laura loved entertaining and was always ready to entertain for family or church gatherings. She was devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading books and poetry.

Laura is preceded in death by her parents, O.W. and Orene Walker; her husband, John Thomas Gardner; her brothers, Ray, and Ivan Walker; sister, Joyce Stevenson; brother-in-law, Bill Stevenson; and sister-in-law, Luvenia Walker.

She is survived by her son, John Gardner (Pam) of Lubbock, Texas; daughter, Deanna Weaver (David) of Milford, Texas. Her grandchildren, Kerri Pike (Philip) of Lubbock, Texas; John David Gardner (Rachelle) of El Progresso, Honduras; Aaron Murray (Sara) of Kingwood, Texas; Bonnie James (Daniel) of Glendale, California; and Emily Gatlin of Milford, Texas. Her seven great-grandchildren include, Isabelle, Jasper, and Kaitlyn Pike, and Haylee, Jadyn, Kenzi, and Joshua Gardner. She is also survived by her sister, Patsy Moore (Mackie); sister-in-law, Dorothy Walker; and numerous nieces and nephews.