LaVera Bernice Gardner's Obituary
A former elementary school teacher and administrator, passed away in her Dallas home on Sunday, October 5, 2008. LaVera was born to Verna and George Shoults on February 27, 1917. She graduated from Emporia State Teacher’s College and began her career in Kansas and Oklahoma, where she met and married Oscar L. Gardner, a civil engineer, on June 7, 1941. Their marriage lasted more than 50 years and produced two children. Oscar passed away in 1992. LaVera and Oscar moved to Dallas from Little Rock, Arkansas in 1956, and LaVera joined the Reinhardt Elementary faculty in 1957 teaching first grade. She subsequently earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration, and in 1974 she left Reinhardt to serve as Vice principal for two elementary schools: Jose Navarro and David G. Burnett. She culminated her DISD career as principal of Thomas L. Marsalis Elementary School and retired in 1980. LaVera was a devout Christian and served as elder emiritus with East Dallas Christian Church. After retirement, she headed up the church’s Mom’s Day Out program for several years. She also volunteered for ELM, a church-sponsored English language ministry for Spanish-speaking women, and she organized numerous social events for the Sanders Couples Class. LaVera loved people and people loved her. As educator, volunteer, and gentle, loving spirit, she touched the lives of many. She was generous to a fault and the cornerstone of her immediate and extended family. She is survived by her son Hugh Gardner, daughter DeAnne Minner, grandson Mike Minner and his wife Michele, and four great-grandchildren– Steffen, Zackary, Trevor and Peyton Minner– all of Denver, Colorado. She will be deeply missed.
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