Marie Atkinson Cole Garner was born on August 1, 1920 in Pushmataha, Oklahoma. She passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Marie graduated from Sterling High School in Sterling City in 1938. She married rancher J.S. Cole Jr. in 1938 and lived on the Cole ranch until Mr. Cole's death in 1955. Marie married George Garner in 1976 and lived in Mason, Texas most of the rest of her life.
Mr. Garner died in 1993. Marie was also preceded in death by a son, Jack Cole, five sisters and one brother. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Brodheadand husband Gene of Austin, grandson Cole Brodhead and wife Jennie, three great-grandsons, Hayes, Chase and Cade all of Austin, Texas, a granddaughter Vicki Cole of Houston, Texas, several nieces and nephews including Debbie Wilden of Phoenix, Arizona and close friend Dorothy Asbill of Mason, Texas.

Marie lived a long and varied life as a ranch wife, mother and grandmother. She was a charter member of the Noratadata Club in Sterling City. Marie was a dorm mother at Angelo State University for several years before moving to Austin to become a house mother at a sorority house at the University of Texas. She will be remembered for her quick wit, keen sense of humor, honesty and love of family. She thought being a housewife was a noble cause and she loved her home and she loved to entertain. Marie was known as a marvelous cook. She had friends in all age groups. Marie will be sorely missed by her family but the Marie/Memaw stories will live on through the ages.
Graveside services will be held at Foster Cemetery in Sterling City on Sunday, January 18, at 1:00 p.m.