Myrna was born December 13, 1925, in Tahoka, TX., to Viola and D.W. Gaignat, and welcomed by brother Charles Arthur Gaignat. She grew up in Tahoka, where she loved playing tennis and racing horses with her friends. She attended Tahoka schools before graduating Valedictorian from Chevy Chase School in Maryland, and then Briarcliff Junior College in New York. She later earned additional credits from Choinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and Texas Tech University.
On March 28, 1947, she married Arthur Charles Verner, and they were an integral part of the Tahoka community from 1948, with Myrna helping to lay out and design the new Tahoka Country Club Golf Course, acting in and directing Tahoka’s Fabulous Folies, and chairing the Red Cross blood drive.
After moving to Lubbock in 1964, Myrna’s dedication and vision quickly earned her a reputation for “making things happen”. She served her new community as a member of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries, the Municipal Auditorium-Coliseum (Chair) , the YWCA, Lubbock Parks & Recreation, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division (charter member), West Texas Medical Fdtn., West Texas Tuberculosis Assn., Lubbock Symphony, Blood Services of Lubbock, Methodist Hospital (first woman director), Lubbock Visitors and Convention Bureau (President), Wells Fargo Bank’s Community Bank Board, Lubbock Regional Arts Center Advisory Board, and the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Charitable Fdtn.
Two of her proudest accomplishments combined her love of travel with promoting her community. Myrna was chosen Lubbock Community Ambassador Abroad to Guatemala, and was the Vice President of the Board for Texas Partners of the Americas with Peru, Alliance for Progress, and traveled to both countries on goodwill trips representing Lubbock. In 1974 she received the Freda McVay Community Service Award from the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.
Myrna’s creativity and flair for design were on display in the new First National Bank Building in 1968, where she assisted in the interior design, including selecting and purchasing from around the world the bank’s collection of over 500 pieces of global art, plus training 90 guides for bank tours and organizing the opening events. In appreciation, the bank’s Board of Directors established The Myrna Verner Scholarship Foundation. Later she worked in the Office of New Construction for Texas Tech Univ. where she created design, selections, and specifications for over 2 million sq. ft. of space, and determinedly never went over budget. In 1977 she opened Myrna Verner Interiors, Inc., where she specialized in commercial design for regional businesses.
In 1986 Myrna became Trustee for the Gaignat Trusts, and managed the family’s farms and mineral interests until 2011. In 1989 she was honored to be awarded the Conservation Absentee/Farmer of the Year by the Lynn County Soil Conservation Service. She was responsible for having built 38 miles of terraces on the family’s farms, thereby accomplishing compliance in the first year of a five-year USDA conservation program.
Throughout her life Myrna’s versatility and enthusiasm for new challenges was evident, whether it was flying a Piper Cub at age 17, being on the Planning Cmte. for Lubbock’s future Civic Center, speaking to over 70 area civic groups, writing novels, creating a memorable event, or coaching four Miss Lubbock’s (one becoming Miss Texas and Finalist in the Miss America Pageant) and one eventual National Maid of Cotton. Her competitiveness resulted in her winning the trapshooting championship on the S.S. Lurline to Hawaii, becoming a Life Master in duplicate bridge, and winning numerous golf tournaments.
Myrna was predeceased by her parents, and her beloved brother, Charles Arthur Gaignat, in 1944. After 56 years of mutual admiration, love, and respect, she lost her devoted husband and best friend, Arthur Charles Verner, in 2003.
No matter how many other responsibilities she had, Myrna’s support, wise counsel, and love could always be depended on by those surviving her, including her loving daughters Paige Johnston of Dallas, Dean Loehr of Lubbock, and Kay Brown and husband Rick of Dallas; niece Dawn Gaignat Root, her son Cary Francis, and Gaylord O’Con of Dallas; grandchildren Shana Ravnsborg and husband Kevin, Alicia Carr and husband Chesley, Christian Loehr, Arden Mesko and husband Kyle, Aryn Self and husband Eddie, and Alexandra Brown; great-grandchildren Cameron and Colby Carr, and Dylan and Brody Ravnsborg.
“Life is a bold adventure, or nothing,” was the creed of this charismatic and independent spirit. Myrna’s strength, integrity, and courage were an inspiration to many. She made an indelible mark on this community and all who loved her - and did it in her own unique way with panache. Only cherished memories can fill the void left in the hearts of family and friends alike.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at Raider Ranch Memory Care and Area Community Hospice for their caring attention to Myrna.
The family also suggests any memorials be given to the Myrna Gaignat Verner Fund for Interior Design, Texas Tech Univ., P.O. Box 45025, Lubbock 79409-5025, www.give2tech.com ; The Louise H. Underwood Center for the Arts, 511 Avenue K, Lubbock 79401, www.lhuca.org; or a charity of your choice. online condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfunerhome.com.
