Mary Nell Gardner

Mary Nell Elliott Gardner, 82, of Kountze, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2020. She was born on October 12, 1937, in Nederland, to Nelva Black Elliott and Robert Herman Elliott.

She grew up in Warren and attended Warren Schools. Mary Nell was active in sports and all extracurricular activities she could fit into a schedule and was the Valedictorian of her high school class in 1955.  Mary Nell attended Abilene Christian University and Sam Houston State University where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.  Upon graduation she taught school in Houston for two years until her marriage.  After Mary Nell and Wilbern married she taught school in Silsbee until the birth of Elizabeth.  At that time, she chose to be a full-time mother until Cathleen was of school age. Mary Nell then taught at Kountze Elementary for the remainder of her career.  She retired in 1998.  Even while teaching Mary Nell continued to volunteer as a Blue Bird leader and Sunday school teacher.  She cooked hundreds of meals for those who were sick or bereaved and no one ever left the house in un-ironed clothes.

Mary Nell loved to travel and took several trips abroad to Europe and England.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life and for many years Mary Nell travelled to Tennessee for visits.  She loved all things British and probably made her way through all the British shows on Netflix in her final months.  Mary Nell was an avid reader and Bible scholar.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years, Wilbern Gardner; daughters, Elizabeth Davis and her husband, Cory, of Nolensville, Tennessee; Cathleen Gardner of Sugarland; grandchildren, Graham, Scarlett, and Sloane Davis, of Nolensville, Tennessee; and sister, Jane Nierman and her husband, Steve, of Pinehurst.

Mary Nell is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Nelva Elliott; and baby sister, Shirley Ann Elliott.

A gathering of Mrs. Gardner’s family and friends will begin 1:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2020, at Lumberton Church of Christ, 90 W Chance Cutoff, Lumberton. Interment to follow at Allison Cemetery, Warren, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.

She had a big heart for those less fortunate, especially children.  Memorials contributions can be made to Healing Hands International, 455 McNally Dr., Nashville, Tennessee 37211 or Arms of Hope Children’s Homes, 7065 Love, Quinlan, Texas 75474.

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