Maxene Gary

Sunday, April 21, 2019. Born in Pelly, TX to Ashley and Lila Bargainer, she spent much of her childhood

in Baytown, TX. There, she attended Robert E. Lee High School and Lee Junior College before

transferring to Southwest Texas State Teachers' College in San Marcos. As an undergraduate percussion

instructor, she met her future husband, Jim Gary, when he joined her class in his quest to become a

band director. Maxene and Jim married in 1948 and moved to Sugar Land, where she became "Band

Mom" to the Sugar Land High School Gator Band and later to the Dulles High School Band. She began a

long teaching career in Fort Bend lSD, teaching first and third grades at Lakeview Elementary School

before moving to Dulles Junior High then Sugar Land Junior High.

After 30 years of teaching Maxene retired and enjoyed her family and friends, traveling with Jim. They visited all 50 states, reaching their travel goal when they visited Alaska, the 50s state, on their 50th anniversary. During her retirement, she had a passion for her family and its history and enjoyed spending time with her daughter's family at their place in Crystal Beach, reading good books, eating good food, and napping in the sunshine.

Maxene was preceded in death by her parents, Ashley and Lila Bargainer; her brother, Dr. Jack

Bargainer; and her beloved husband, Jim Gary. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Bargainer of

Baytown; her daughter and her husband, Sheryl and David Lambert of Missouri City; her adored

grandchildren, Jason Lambert and his wife, Katherine of Los Angeles; and Jonathon Lambert of Austin.

As the last of the Gary aunt and uncle generation, she will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews

on both sides of her family.

The family would especially like to thank her longtime caregivers Rose Mary Buirst and Caroline

Omatoso, the staff of The Crescent Skilled Nursing Facility, and the nurses and caregivers of Elysian

Hospice Care for their devotion and care.

Maxene's prayer was to leave a positive lasting legacy, and the Lord gave her many opportunities. She

influenced countless lives through her service at First Baptist Church of Sugar Land and Quail Valley

Baptist Church, her years of teaching in Fort Bend lSD, and her care and support for her loving family.

She will be missed, but she spent her first day of eternity on the very day we celebrate our Savior's

victory over death" For that, her family is especially grateful.

lf you would like to make a donation in her memory the family requests that donations be made to Pets

Alive, Houston, https://www.houstonpetsalive.org/