Anita (Forbis) Garner

Memorial Services for Anita Garner, 85, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Laird Funeral Home.

Anita Forbis Garner, a sweet and caring friend, neighbor, wife, mother, and grandmother, was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on September 5, 1938, and went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.  Her parents were Ruby Partin Forbis and Alton Forbis.  Anita graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1956.  She then attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, then a Masters Degree in Education.  While at SFA, she met Herschel Whitaker Garner while singing together in choir.  The couple married on December 26, 1959, at College Heights Baptist Church in Nacogdoches (now known as University Baptist Church).  Herschel was the love of her life and she adored him.  She also loved her pets Cutie, Hans, Kaiser Bill, He’per, and Kat. While in school, she played piano and organ at church and taught piano lessons. She continued to play piano casually throughout her life, and also enjoyed collecting and sharing recipes, baking/cooking, and canning preserves.  Anita taught elementary education for 33 years in Lubbock ISD and Stephenville ISD, and was a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association. After retirement in 1996, she moved with her husband to “The Farm” in Gallatin, Texas, where she spent time gardening and helping with the hay and cattle.  She also enjoyed keeping up with Facebook connections, including friends and former students. She was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas, and active on committees of Tyler Community Concerts for several years.

Survivors include her husband, Herschel Garner, son Stephen and wife Caroline Garner, grandson Geoffrey Garner and granddaughter Elaine Garner, several cousins, many friends, and her beloved Kat.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Lairds Funeral Home in Nacogdoches.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to American Heart Association, an Animal Rescue Shelter of Choice, or Cornerstone Baptist Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anita (Forbis) Garner, please visit our floral store.