Richard Gardner

President

Richard D. Gardner is licensed by the Texas Funeral Service Commission as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, a Certified Celebrant trained by the Insight Institute, and is a Certified Crematory Operator.

Richard and his wife Rebecca (also a Funeral Director and Embalmer) purchased Lowe Funeral Home from Dwayne Lowe in March of 2021 to keep the tradition of family-owned funeral service in Wood County available to those in need in our area.

Richard was born and raised in Southeast Texas and has served as a funeral director since 1992. After attending Sam Houston State and his service in the United States Army, he attended and graduated with honors from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. Richard is a member of the Quitman Rotary Club, American Legion Post 296 in Mineola, National Funeral Directors Association, and Texas Funeral Directors Association.

The Gardners have three children; Tambrey, Isaac, and Veda. Richard and his family enjoy many community activities, traveling, and especially family time at their home in rural Wood County.

Heather Turner

Manager - Funeral Director

Heather is the Managing Director of Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home and has been a dedicated part of the team since 2016. Originally from Paris, Texas, she moved to Quitman during elementary school and graduated from Quitman High School in 2009. She went on to attend Tyler Junior College and later earned her Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 2015.

Heather is a licensed Texas Funeral Director and Embalmer, a licensed pre-need agent, and also assists families with monument sales. She is passionate about providing compassionate, professional care and guiding families through every step of the funeral planning process.

Heather is married to Carson Turner, and together they own and operate Turner's Land Management. They have two children, Zane and Camilla. In her free time, Heather enjoys traveling and fishing on Lake Fork. She is a member of the Quitman Pilot Club and serves as a Chamber Ambassador for the Quitman Chamber of Commerce. The Turner family is completed by their two Dalmatians, Sasha and Otis.

Jeff Taylor

Crematory Manager - Crematory Operations

Jeff is a 1988 graduate of Quitman High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Texas at Tyler. Jeff worked part time for the funeral home for several years before joining the team full time in 2017. He is a certified Crematory Operator through CANA, obtained his ICCFA Cremation Arranger certification, and also assists in monument sales and pre needs.

Jeff is married to Shanna Lutonsky Taylor and together they have 3 girls and 3 boys. They are members of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church and he serves as a board member for the Quitman City Cemetery.

Nikki Wright

Legacy Advocate

Nikki isn’t just a name, she’s a familiar face in our community, who is eager to help you create plans to honor your life and assist your loved ones in a time of need. She will navigate you through the process of implementing the essential documents so that you and your loved ones have peace of mind.

Nikki’s mission is clear: to guide you through the important decisions of preplanning for the inevitable, ensuring that your legacy and wishes are honored without placing additional stress and burdens on your loved ones. Whether you’re considering a more traditional type of arrangement, Green Burials, Cremation, considering The Gift of organ and tissue donation, or taking advantage of your Veteran death benefits, Nikki is here to share her extensive knowledge and support with you every step of the way.

Born and raised in Wood County, Nikki's deep-rooted connection to our area shines through in everything she does. She currently serves as a RYLA / Interact Coordinator with Rotary International, Quitman Parent Teacher Organization, a member of the Quitman Chamber of Commerce as well as other local committees to serve the youth in our area. She also owns or operates other businesses in Quitman and continuously looks for solutions to meet the needs of anyone she encounters. She previously served on boards such as Women’s Center of East Texas, Wood County Child Welfare Board, Wood County Protection Board, Court Appointed Special Advocate, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and advisor on Longview Police Department Explorer program, Tyler’z Toys and Sheepdog Haven.

When she is looking to relax and reflect, she loves to write, paddleboard or find any opportunity to open her children up to new experiences.

Alongside her husband Clint, whom she’s been married to since 2003, Nikki is a dedicated parent to Jagger (25), Pete (10), and Trixie (6). The Wright family proudly calls Hainesville home, and with Nikki living in the heart of East Texas, it is convenient for her to meet you at our Quitman location, the privacy and comfort of your home, or any place where you feel most at ease.

For any questions or to schedule a meeting, feel free to call her at 903-763-2242 or 903-347-2532. Nikki looks forward to meeting you and assisting with your legacy planning needs.

Brittni Whiddon

Administrative Assistant

Brittni serves as the Administrative Assistant at Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home. Often the first face you see when you walk through the doors and the first voice you hear when you call, Brittni plays a key role in welcoming and assisting families with care and professionalism.

Originally from Central Texas, she moved to Quitman in junior high and graduated from Quitman High School in 2006. She later pursued funeral service studies at Northeast Texas Community College and joined the Lowe-Gardner team in 2019.

Brittni married her husband, Dakota, in 2012, and they have two sons, Gavin and Darren. Outside of work, she enjoys watching her boys play sports, reading, and listening to music.

Ange Everett

Staff Associate - Service & Visitation Attendant, Pre Need Agent

In 2008, Ange Everett began a compassionate ministry working as a visitation attendant. She is also a licensed pre-need agent.

She is a 1986 graduate of Quitman High School. Ange attended Tyler Junior College and was a member of the Apache Band. She obtained her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Tyler, and her M.Ed in Educational Administration from Lamar University. She retired after 24 years as an elementary school teacher and 5 years as a campus administrator. She works part-time as an ARD Facilitator, and serves on the Wood County Child Welfare & Protection Board.

She and her husband, Mo, have been married for over 30 years, and are faithful members of the North Tenneha Church of Christ in Tyler, TX. Together, they have 3 children and 12 grandchildren.

Justin Cason

Staff Associate

Tim Yeager

Staff Associate

Tammy Gilmore

Staff Associate

Tammy graduated from Canton High School in 1988, later attended Tyler Junior College, and is formerly bank service officer for the City National Bank of Sulphur Springs at the Quitman branch for 28 years. She has served as a Director for the Quitman Chamber of Commerce and as an Alderman on the Council for the City of Quitman.

Tammy attends the First United Methodist Church of Quitman where she is a member of the handbell choir. She is a former member of the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department where she served in various capacities, such as Treasurer, Incident Safety Officer and Training Officer, Emergency Medical Responder, as well as a member of the Wood County Fire Department Honor Guard and Secretary for the Wood County Fire Chiefs’ Association. Currently, she serves as a firefighter with the Hainesville Volunteer Fire Department.

As an avid cyclist, she is a National Interscholastic Cycling Association coach, as well as a member of the Tyler Bicycle Club and Fresh Racing.

Mike Gilmore

Staff Associate - Funeral & Visitation Attendant, Transportation

Mike joined the Lowe-Gardner team in 2022, assisting in transportation as well as working funerals and visitations. He works full-time at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and owns and operates MT Auto Detail.

He is a Quitman native, born and raised here. He is the grandson of Hoice Bright, funeral director for Cain Funeral Home in the 80’s. Many in the community know and refer to Mike as “Little Hoice”, and Mike’s legacy of service began as young as 8 years old. He recalls helping his grandfather around the funeral home and is excited to continue serving others with the Lowe-Gardner team.

In 1989 he graduated from Quitman High School and graduated from Tyler School of Business in 1991. He is married to Tammy Peace Gilmore, and the two truly have a servant’s heart. Mike and Tammy have been volunteer firefighters for many years and recently joined the Hainesville Volunteer Fire Department. He is a certified scuba diver, assisting in many search and rescue missions in the past. Mike also plays the bagpipes and assists in storm-watching for different organizations. He and Tammy are faithful members of the First United Methodist Church of Quitman and enjoy biking in their spare time.

Joseph Goodson

Staff Associate

Haley Williams

Visitation Attendant

Debra Teter

Visitation Attendant

Lisa Dubose

Vistation Attendant

Carson Turner

Staff Associate