Viola M. Varner

Viola was born to Joe and Sophie Krenek on September 21, 1928 in Wharton, Texas. She graduated from Wharton High School and went to nursing school in Houston, Texas. Afterwards, she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital and private doctor offices. She met the love of her life, Capt. Doyle Russell Varner while in Houston and they married September 1, 1955. Dad nicknamed her, The Duchess. He would say," Whatever the duchess wants, the duchess gets." He loved her immensely and together they raised three children in the Catholic faith. They lived in the same house in Willow Meadows for 55 years.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah Ann Mendez (Joe Edward Mendez) of Houston and Doyle Russell Varner Jr. (Tracy Bone Varner, deceased); Grandchildren: Christopher Goodrow (Lisa Goodrow) of Rosharon, TX; Nicole Renee Mendez (Rodger John McAnany) of Dallas TX; Matthew Joseph Mendez (Tyler Witt Mendez) of Spring TX; Jenny Varner (James Pugh) of Santa Monica, CA; Russell Varner III (Sarah Carlyle) of Houston; Jesse Varner (Karina Gomez) of Aurora, CO. And great grandchildren Megan Goodrow of Ft. Worth, TX; and Alec Glass of Pasadena TX.; numerous nephews and nieces.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Capt. Doyle R. Varner; daughter, Sherrell Ann Overton (Huntsville, TX); her father and mother (Joe and Sophie); sisters: Bessie Hubenak, Dorothy Rachunek and brother Joe Krenek, along with their spouses.

She and dad were enthusiastic volunteers for the Corpus Christi Church bazaars. She loved nothing better than to have family over for Sunday dinner of roast beef with all the fixings, which no one in the family could replicate. Cooking, baking, volunteering, gardening and bowling were her favorite pastimes. But most of all she loved bingo, playing the slots and black jack in either Las Vegas, Biloxi or Lake Charles. To say she was active would be an understatement. She could outwalk almost everyone in the family, always leading the way. And she had a "special smile" for her family when she saw them. Lastly, she loved being the center of attention. We will miss her immensely but we know we will all be together again in heaven because she and dad taught us so. You can rest now mom. Your job here on Earth is done and what a great job you did. We love you and thank you for everything.

Services will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church at 9900 Stella Link Rd., Houston, 77025 on December 2, 2022, Father Tom will be officiating. Family viewing at 9:30 a.m. and public viewing at 10:00 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 a.m. Celebration of the mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Forest Park Cemetery Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, at 1:00 p.m.ETA. Reception following.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to your local Alzheimers Chapter or Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

The Varner/Mendez family would also like to recognize and thank her wonderful caregivers for their patience, compassion and tireless efforts to make sure mom was warm and comfortable: Cheryl, Vanessa, Maggie, Shai, Marisol, Faith, Nancy & Lucy. Thank you Marsene Boldt and At Your Side. Your company made us feel comfortable to leave mom in your care.

God saw she was getting tired and the cure was not to be,

So he put His arms around her and whispered, "Follow Me."

With tearful hearts we watched her fade away.

Although we loved her dearly we could not make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us...

He only takes the best.