Beth Gardner

Elizabeth Gardner, 77, passed away March 10, 2014, in a Fort Worth hospital. Service: 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 15, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Burleson. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park in Fort Worth. Visitation: 6-8 PM, Friday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home. Beth was born April 16, 1936 in New Orleans to Dr. Russell D. and Mildred Wilson Holt. Beth attended school all 12 years in Meridian, graduating in 1954 and was in the same class with future husband, Bill all those years. After graduating from high school, she attended Baylor University earning a degree in English and Education. She became the church pianist at the First Baptist Church in Meridian at 12 years of age and later the organist. Throughout Beth's life she served the Lord with her God given talent in music in many different ways. She also taught school for 17 years in Iredell, Meridian and Burleson. Beth then worked with Bill in his auto sales business in Burleson. Beth's greatest joy came from caring for her husband Bill, their three children, Dan, Jimmy and Patty and their 10 grandchildren, Toby Gardner, Kimberly Schwalk and husband Brad, Zachary Mercer, Chris Graves and wife Jordan, Kaylon Martin and husband Will, Casey Graves and wife Katie, Kayla Gardner, Emily Chavoya and husband Ethan, Erin Chapman and husband Kobee, and Matthew Gardner. Beth loved playing games, working puzzles, coin collecting, and cooking for and with them, attending sports and other activities all were involved in. She continued this with her great grandchildren as her health problems permitted. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Patricia (Patty) Gardner Mercer. Survivors: her beloved husband of 56 years, Bill; sons, Dan Gardner and wife Christi and Jimmy Gardner and wife Kathleen; 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sister, Judy McNeill and husband Mike of Stephenville; extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the First Baptist Church of Burleson Building Fund at 317 West Ellison Street Burleson, Texas 76028.