She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry L. Garner of Taylor Texas.
She is survived by her daughter Mary Jenee and Son-in-law Cornell Dove of Missouri City, Texas; a Sister, Sylvia J. Taylor of Union City, California. Grandson Damon K. Dove and great-granddaughter, Kaylah Rene Dove. Nephews, Gerald and Lawrence Taylor of Union City, California; Jesse Griffin, Jr. of San Antonio and a host of nieces from the Griffin/Garner family. Her extended family included Shannon and Alexia Silas and daughters Hazel and Lilly; Roland Silas and wife Kim, son Paxton and daughter Camryn. Her dearest and most cherished friend with whom she shared the most late-night talks is the Honorable Judge Zinetta Burney and former Representative Craig Washington.
She received her nursing degree from Odessa College and began her career in 1959 and nursed until January 2014. She was the first African-American nurse to serve in the Heart Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital under Dr. Michael Debakey in 1967. She became involved in politics with Operation Breadbasket and the Urban League of Houston in the early 1970’s which were organizations dedicated to improving the economic conditions of black communities. Later she joined the NAACP and began a lifelong commitment to the Democratic Party. Through this commitment, her friend list crossed party and socio-economic lines to include the Honorable Mayor Allen Owen of Missouri City whom she talked to on a weekly basis, The Honorable Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, State Representatives Garnet Coleman, Senfronia Thompson, Ron Reynolds and U.S. Representative Al Green and Ed, owner of Ed’s Pharmacy who serviced my mother’s medical needs and to whom I owe my gratitude along with many, many others friends..
Her love included playing tennis which she participated in until her knees would now longer allow the wear and tear and always knew that she forever would love the United Methodist Church.
A memorial will be held for her on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek at 11:00am with a reception to follow. Pastor Bill Cole will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in Margaret's name.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18