Nona Hudson Garner
ril 29, 1932, in Wilmot, AR, and lived her adult life in Rayville.
She moved on to her heavenly home Sunday, October 16, 2022.
Funeral services were held Friday, October, 21, 2022 at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Rayville, led by her pastor, Brother Charles Ellzey. Visitation was held Thursday, October 20, at Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville. Interment followed in the Rayville Masonic Cemetery.
Mrs. Nona was a child of the Depression. Her mother died when she and her twin brother were only four years old so her greatest desire was to be a wife and mother. She excelled at both.
Nona was a charter member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. She was always there if anyone needed prayer, encouragement, food or visits. She started out working in the nursery and progressed as she aged to other ministries. She ended working with Triple L Senior Citizens. She was a mighty prayer warrior.
Nona was the first director of the Richland Council on Aging and helped to establish Meals On Wheels for Richland Parish. It came full circle when these agencies gave her physical and emotional nourishment during her last years.
She married James Garner on July 3, 1948, after he returned from World War II. They decided Rayville was the perfect place to rear their three children. After James retired from barbering, they opened Garner’s Nursery and Christmas Tree Farm where she created their slogan “Good Gardeners Garden With Garners.” They photographed three generations of some families as they cut their fresh trees each year.
They both enjoyed cultivating children, friends, and plants during their 65 years together.
Mrs. Nona is preceded in death by her husband, James Garner; son, James Randolph “Randy” Garner; parents, Norman and Beulah Hudson; and her siblings.
She is survived by her daughter, Gwen Garner, and husband, Rich, from Winder GA; and son, Mark Garner, from Shreveport. She has eight grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Her life consisted of love for God, her family, and others.
Special thanks go to Susan Romero, her constant companion for four-years, Dr. Kevin Carlisle who was sent to us as a gift from God, the staff at Colonial Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Home and Caring Hands Hospice. The love and care shown by each person is deeply appreciated.
Mrs. Nona loved flowers but if you prefer a memorial, the family suggests Woodlawn Baptist Church, Alzheimer’s Association or University of MD Brain Research Center.
Her mortal passing leaves a hole in our hearts that is only filled by the love of God she knew so intimately and taught to so many.
Her final message to each of us is found in Matthew 22:37. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
If you know the Lord as your Savior let His spirit fill every minute of every day. If you don’t know Him then please accept the Lord as your Savior today. This is goodbye until we meet again.
Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.