Lou Ellen Gardner Kline

Raleigh, North Carolina - On March 30, 2024, Lou Gardner Kline departed this life after a serious fall on December 23, 2023, and continuous care at WakeMed Hospital and the Stewart Health Center of Springmoor Retirement Community. Lou was the only child of William Aaron Gardner and Alva Lee Jones Gardner of Pinetops, NC.

Following public education in Edgecombe County, she graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh. At Meredith, she met Donald Kline, leading to 66 years of marriage and mutual joy. In addition to Don, she is succeeded by their daughter, Lisa Kline Mowry, and her husband, Dr. Chris Mowry, of Marietta, Georgia and their son, Alexander Philip Mowry and his wife, Kelly Saunders Mowry, of Atlanta; and Lou’s and Don’s daughter, Carol Suzanne Kline, of Raleigh.

Lou taught 1st grade in Roanoke Rapids, NC for three years and one year in Durham, followed by two years in a private kindergarten. She later returned to teaching in a public kindergarten until 1986.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 21 at the Springmoor auditorium (1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh) with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lou are suggested to the SPCA of Wake County (spcawake.org), SAFE Haven for Cats (safehavenforcats.org), or similar charities.

Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com