Ione Yvonne Wagner

Ione “Yvonne” Wagner was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. Her life of love and service to others didn’t come to an end with her death. Yvonne passed away in her home in College Station, Texas, on June 4th, 2024, at the age of 91 in the care of loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Yvonne’s celebration of life service will be held on July 15th, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Callaway-Jones Funeral Home at 3001 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas, 77801.

Yvonne dedicated her life to service to others. She worked as a nurse, conducted medical research, and directed training for nurses throughout her professional career. She also provided nursing services overseas while working as a church missionary after her retirement. Simple pleasures in life brought great joy to Yvonne. She loved spending time with family members, and she marveled at the beauty of nature. She was particularly fond of the Grand Tetons, spending several summers after her retirement working, hiking nature trails, rafting and other adventurin’ with both old and new friends. She volunteered as the receptionist at her church and she also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in daily activities and her pleasant and inquisitive personality was obvious to everyone she met.

Yvonne was born on September 24th, 1932, in Gibsland, Louisiana, to Ione Ethyl Gilbert Lawton and Reverend Alton Clinton Lawton. She was the 4th of 5 children and was the only daughter. Academically, she always excelled. She graduated with a Nursing Diploma at the top of her class at Northwestern State College of Louisiana in August of 1953. She attended Centenary College of Louisiana where she met her husband-to-be, Robert Harlis Wagner, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science in May of 1955. She attended medical school for 2.5 years, “temporarily” leaving in 1958 to devote time to her growing family. Yvonne never stopped learning, she earned a Masters Degree in Science from Texas Woman’s University in 1983.

Yvonne and Robert were married on August 12, 1955. They had four children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Yvonne was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Robert, and their son, Stephen Barrington Wagner. She was also predeceased by three of her brothers, Alton Clinton Lawton Jr., Robert Lawton, and James Lawton.

Yvonne is survived by her daughter Linda Ann Wagner Knight (married to Craig Knight), son Robert Harlis Wagner Jr. (married to Sandra Hart Wagner), and son Richard Henry Wagner. Her grandchildren are Travis Knight, Rachel Knight, Zachary Wagner, Jacob Wagner, Emily Calvin, Jessica Wagner, and Lydia Wagner. Yvonne’s great grandchildren are Zachary Wagner Jr., Zoey Wagner, William Wagner, Chris Wagner, Charles Wagner and Cosmo Calvin. Yvonne is also survived by her brother, Gilbert Lawton, of Shreveport, Louisiana and many nieces and nephews.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.