Naomi Louise Hutchinson Gainer, age 86, of Eden, Texas passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo, Texas. Louise was the only child of Horace Elon Hutchinson and Mary Ellen (Champie) Hutchinson and was born October 12, 1936, in San Angelo, Texas. She grew up in Eden. Her parents owned the local dairy and later became ranchers. Louise graduated from Eden Hight School in 1955. While there she participated in sports—baseball, basketball, and volleyball. Being a member of the band, she played trumpet, served as twirler, drum major and sweetheart. She participated in many school plays and programs for the music and drama department. Being a member of a quartet that entertained for school and community events was a joy.
She graduated from Durham Business College in Austin where she learned to be a secretary and bookkeeper and worked in Austin before marrying her Aggie, Alvis Beryl Gainer in 1955. He was working toward his BS and MS at Texas A&M and she worked at the university in the Home Economics Research Department. The university presented her with a “Putting Hubby Through”—PHT degree.
She and their daughter, Brenda, followed Beryl to the Army where they spent time “guarding the gold’ and Ft. Knox, KY. This provided them a chance to attend the Kentucky Derby. After the Army, they spent some wonderful years working for Mobil Oil and Beaumont, TX, where their son Glen was born in 1962. Then Houston beckoned and they started the laboratory, Analytical and Testing, Inc. Louise drove a school bus for 37 years for Spring Branch, retiring in 2003, while also starting two separate businesses: One in the needlework industry with partner, Jody Carter, called Sellers of Purple, a needle point kit store for several years. Another with partner June Taylor, called chauffeurs, Inc. furnishing drivers for individual private cars.
The most important things in her life were her family and friends. If you are one of them, you know that was true. There were great memories of raising her children and the Houston Spring Branch area: Attending church and school events, playing bridge and games, square dancing, sightseeing trips, camping with friends, cruises, entertaining and just sitting around talking. Louise lavished love on her grandchildren, who called her Gram. They spent many happy summers together going to museums, water parks, zoos, etc.
The special blessings in Louise’s life, written in her own words: “having a husband who was loyal, loving, supportive and usually agreeable; children and grandchildren who are affectionate, bright, individualistic, and determined; and friends who were stalwart, strong of character, fun-loving and wonderful. What greater collection of blessings could life offer?’
She returned to Eden three years ago, after living in Katy, Texas for over 50 years. While in Katy, she was a member of the Apostolic Faith Church, where she was very involved in church events. Her family attends the First Baptist Church in Eden.
Funeral services for Louise Gainer will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, May 27, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Eden with Dr. Marty Akins officiating. Interment will follow at Eden Cemetery in Eden.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the First Baptist Church.
Friends may view Louise’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign her online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com. Pallbearers will be .
Louise is survived by her son Glen Gainer and wife Bessie of Eden; daughter Brenda Sue Gainer Leverick of San Angelo; grandchildren Chelsie Gainer Badger, Aaron M. Gainer, Aarica C. Wyrick, Audrey Bhullar, Mandy Lloyd, Jon Lloyd, Jr. and Flora Anne Lloyd; and great grandchildren Addison, Jaxon, Lilly, Emma, Jo Ella, Keaton, Astrid, Pearl, Trey, Eric and Jurni.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 60 years, Alvis Beryl Gainer.