Vera Elizabeth Gardner

Vera Elizabeth Gardner July 12, 1926 - May 25, 2016 Vera Elizabeth Koen Gardner of Waco, departed this world Wednesday, May 25, 2016 and has gone home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation with Vera’s family and friends will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 30, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Vera was known affectionately as “Mama Tiger” for years as the students at Waco High School cherished her presence and support at school and on the football field as her husband, longtime Head Coach Wayne Gardner, led the Waco High Tigers to many glorious victories. Born in West, Texas, on July 12, 1926, to parents Albie Frank and Sally Lenora “Nora” (Murdock) Koen, Vera grew up on her parents’ farm and attended West High School. She worked as a secretary-receptionist for Dr. William Gidney of West for several years. Vera married Wayne Gardner, the love of her life, on September 29, 1950, and the two began their life together raising two daughters. She was content to be a stay-at-home mom until the Friday night lights began to shine. Then “Mama Tiger” could be found with daughters Kay and Pam on the sidelines as Wayne coached his Waco High team. Once Kay and Pam were in college, Vera began her longtime career working for Waco ISD at North Junior and Waco High School, and later, University Middle School. Both students and faculty members enjoyed her warm smile and her trademark greeting, “Hi Tiger!” whenever they entered her office. Upon retirement in 1986, she enjoyed life with Wayne and their family, especially when their grandson Ryan “Sugar Baby” was born in 1990. Vera was a member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church. Vera was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Wayne Gardner, brothers Alton Koen, Marshall Koen, Kenneth Koen, and Lloyd “Koko” Koen. She is survived by daughter and devoted caretaker Kay Gardner Ferguson and husband, Mike, daughter Pamela Gardner Dunlap and husband, Dale, and cherished grandson, Ryan Gardner Dunlap, her “Sugar Baby”, the only name she called him. Pallbearers are Ryan Dunlap, Randy Jones, Albie Koen, Eric Cuffee, Randy Ellison, Johnny Tabor, Travis Comer and Bryan Steinmann. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Central Texas, 2101 S. 23rd Street, Waco, 76706, Fuzzy Friends, 6321 Airport Road, Waco, 76708, or Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue, Waco, 76707. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in the “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.