Portrait of Elizabeth Larner. IMB Photo

Elizabeth Kay Larner, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Peru, Mexico and Ecuador, died Nov. 14, 2025, in Schertz, Texas. She was 76. 

Beth was born Dec. 14, 1948, in Galveston, Texas, to the late Robert and Elizabeth Kugler. She graduated from Cheyenne (Wyoming) Central High School and received the Bachelor of Science from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, and the Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.  

As a senior in high school, Beth heard the administrator of the Baptist Hospital in Asuncion, Paraguay, speak at her church. While seeking missionary appointment she wrote, “Not long after his visit to our church, I sensed God calling me to serve Him overseas.”  

She met Tommy Larner while she was a student at Hardin-Simmons. They were married on May 22, 1970. Tommy was preparing for the pastoral ministry, and she embraced her role as a pastor’s wife, playing piano, directing choir, teaching, encouraging, and supporting the people of each congregation where they served. In 1977, Beth recalled, God began to stir their spirits for missions. That fall, she and Tommy had the opportunity to go to Santiago, Chile, for two weeks to work with a church in an evangelistic campaign. In the summer of 1980, they went on another evangelistic trip to Ecuador.  

In 1981, the International Mission Board appointed Tommy and Beth missionaries to Ecuador. They later served in Mexico and Peru. They retired after more than 30 years. 

Beth was preceded in death by her son, Robert Wayne Larner.  

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Tommy Larner; sons Matthew Larner and Joel Larner; and two grandchildren.  

A funeral service was held Nov. 21 at First Baptist Church in Uvalde, Texas, with burial in Mission Park North, San Antonio.  

Donations in her memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.  

Read an obituary here.