Linn Cardner

Mary Linn Pond Cardner, 85, of Orange, TX, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 15, 2024, at home surrounded by family. She was born December 29, 1938, in Jackson, TN., and is preceded in death by her parents, Mary Linn and Russell Caffery Pond, husband, Dr. David Victor Cardner, sister Edith Jane “Sandy” Milligan and son, John Charles Cardner.

‍She moved so many times that it’s hard to say exactly where she “grew up,” but she always made the best of where she was. Linn enjoyed summer camp, canoeing, and tennis. She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas, in 1956, and then on to the University of Texas in Austin. During summer break, she would return to Bryan, Texas, where her parents lived, and was one of the first females admitted to Texas A&M University during the summer schedule. While at the University of Texas, her accolades were many, most notably as the first female President of the Student Body for the College of Business Administration and named Outstanding Student as a sophomore. Also, she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority,serving as Political Chairman, which started her interest in politics in general.

Linn married David on August 5, 1961, at the chapel on the campus of Texas A&M University. When they met in Houston in 1960, she had recently graduated from the University of Texas and was working as a secretary, and David was a graduate student at Rice University. She lived with roommates, and David knew the roommates and came over to meet the new girl. They had a running Bridge game, and David started visiting regularly, always bringing his books but rarely studying. As they got to know each other, there was no doubt they would marry. Soon, David would have his PhD, he would propose, and they would start their lives together in Orange, Texas—David at Dupont and Linn as a homemaker.‍

Soon, children were on the way, and eventually, they would have three boys. While she loved being a mom, her interest in politics took root. At the time, in the late 1960’s, Orange, and Texas, was a “Blue” state, so her Republican affiliation was on the side of the underdog. But that didn’t sway her efforts or conservative beliefs. She began as secretary, then Vice Chairman, and eventually Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County. After serving for five years at the post, she decided to step down to devote more time to her family and career. Never far from her mind, she stayed involved in local politics, helping wherever needed. In the day when politics was civil, the Democratic Party Chairman wrote a letter to the editor of The Orange Leader, speaking highly of her cooperation, helpfulness, and fairness and saying that his association with Linn has been nothing but the best. He is quoted as saying, “It is probably a blessing to the Democratic Party of Orange County that Linn Cardner is retiring.” 

Linn started her career with United Way of Orange, serving first as secretary and then appointed to Executive Director. With the gift of gab and the art of persuasion, she had a way of getting contributions from even the most challenging citizens. Working with local agencies that were part of the United Way network locally, she showed her ability to help many citizens through these agencies. She had a heart of service and loved her community. Making contacts through both professional and political avenues, she was able to help secure funds from the Bush-Clinton Coastal Relief Fund to help rebuild the Orange Central Fire Station and with additional funds,helping in other areas after catastrophic hurricane damage. In 2009, this endeavor earned her one of her greatest awards, The Key to the City. She was also selected as Orange County Citizen of the Year 2011 for service to the citizens of Orange through her acts of charity, kindness, and professionalism.

Faithfully serving the United Way for 34 years, she retired to spend time with her family and spoil her grandchildren. She continued crocheting, making more blankets than we can count for family, friends, and charity auctions. She was a faithful member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Orange and loved her church family. She found joy in giving and taught her children to live a service life and leave this earth a better place than when they were born. She did exactly that. Orange County is a better place for her dedication and service before herself.

Linn leaves behind so many to cherish her memory including children; Roland (Alice), William, and Danny and Diane Wilhite. Grandchildren; Brandy (Kevin) Bernat, Kristi (Levi) Unger, David (Krystle) Cardner, Mallory, Maraea, Tim, Ellie and Blaze Cardner and Carolyn Wilhite. Great Grandchildren Kaleb, Bella, Kolton and Becca Bernat, Noah, Matthew and Jacob Unger, Lexis Moss and Aria Cardner. Brother-in-law(s); Johnny Milligan and Richard (Julie) Cardner. Nieces and Nephews; Kevin Cardner, Brian (Elizabeth) Cardner (Julie Anna, Paige), Jennifer (Mike) Nichols, Johnathan (Sonya) Milligan (Christopher, Tyler, Faith, Lydia and Lucas) and Debra Hayes (DJ and Tommy).

Family get-togethers for holidays and any occasion delighted her, especially when it included those that had no other place to enjoy a meal or would spend holidays alone. During her last year of life, she was devoted to her faith as a source of strength and shared her sense of humor with her caretaker and friend, Michelle Harper. Michelle was a Godsend, and an angel on earth, taking care of Linn until her last breath. Her neighbors and friends also took a special interest in helping her including Danny and Diane Wilhite and Roy and Kathy Orta. They bestowed so many special blessings on Linn, whether it was a meal or lending an ear to just sit and talk. Their love and attentiveness were unending. So many others called, stopped by to visit, bring a meal and offer support. A very special thank you to Pastor Benny Smith and Chaplain Jeff Bell who called, visited, sang to and prayed with Linn in her time of need.

Funeral services are under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Visitation and conversation with family and friends will be held Tuesday, October 22, from 4 PM to 7 PM at Claybar Funeral Home, 504 N. 5th St., Orange, TX 77630. The going-home service will beWednesday, October 23, at 10:00 AM at First Church of the Nazarene, 3810 MLK Jr. Dr., Orange, TX 77632. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, West Orange, TX.

‍Pallbearers are Danny Wilhite, Blaze Cardner, Roland Cardner, David Cardner, Bill Cardner, Tim Cardner. Honorary Pallbearers are Brent Huckaby, Paul Brock, Roy Orta, Dimitri Geeker, Johnny Milligan, Johnathan Milligan and Gregory Flowers.

Our family thanks the staff at the Medical Center of SE TX for the quality of care rarely seen today. Many thanks to Mary McKenna and her team with SE TX Hospice, whose kindness and diligence in comforting care and offering advice made such a difference in the final months. Our special thanks to Dr. Pradip Morbia with Gulf Coast Cardiology Group, who, without his unending care and concern for Linn, her quality of life would have been very different. Thank you, Dr. William Rutledge and staff, whose extraordinary care for Linn was second to none.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Orange Christian Services or a charity of your choosing.

‍” Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present enthusiastically, and look forward to the future confidently.”