Mary Gardner

Mary "Betty" Gardner May 8, 1918 - September 10, 2012 Mary Elizabeth Craven Gardner, known her entire life as Betty, went to be with her Lord on Monday, September 10, 2012. Graveside services will be 11:45 a.m., Thursday, September 13, at Rosemound Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Mesa officiating. Visitation will be 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 13, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey. Betty's grandfather, John Asbury Craven, Sr., a respected banker and businessman, moved his family to Waco in the early 1900s from Licking, Missouri. Her father, Asbury Franklin Craven, left Waco and migrated to Idaho as a young businessman. There he built and opened a bank and hotel in Hollister. He met and married Mary Elizabeth Heck, of Twin Falls. Betty was born May 8, 1918, in Twin Falls. Unfortunately, Betty's mother died of complications during childbirth. As a small infant, Betty was brought to Waco, where she was reared by her aunt, Eunice Craven Johnson, and uncle, Henry M. Johnson. Betty attended Sanger Avenue Elementary, West Junior, and Waco High School. She was enrolled in Baylor University when she accepted a proposal of marriage and eloped with the love of her life, Judge L.M. Gardner, to be married September 24, 1934. She subsequently graduated from Toby's Business College in Waco. Betty was a longtime member of Austin Avenue Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. While their two sons, Jay and David, were growing up, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother and active in the Alta Vista PTA. She always said some of her most enjoyable times were spent on summer evenings, visiting with friends and watching the children swim and play together at The Fish Pond. Betty worked as office manager and bookkeeper for many years with Judge, who owned and operated Brazos Feed & Supply with his brother, Harry. Later, after selling their business, they opened Betty's Green Thumb Backyard Nursery on the Old Robinson Road. After Mr. Gardner's death in 1978, Betty closed the nursery and began working for the Animal Emergency Clinic of Waco, and then for her son's Animal Hospital of Waco on the Circle, where she remained until her health began to decline in 2004. Survivors include her sons, Jay and Myrna Gardner of Kingwood, Texas, and Dr. David and Donna Gardner of Waco; and five grandchildren, Jeff Gardner and Mindy McQueen of Kingwood, Kimber Gholson and Misty Christensen of Waco, and Wendy Workman of Bryan. In addition to her grandchildren, Mrs. Gardner had the privilege of getting to know her eleven great grandchildren. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff at Ridgecrest Retirement and Health Center for their caring services over the past six years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Waco Humane Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.