Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Nov. 15, 2012, at Collins-Burke Funeral Home Parlor. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at Collins-Burke Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Union Chapel Cemetery in Cordova. Larry Sherer will officiate.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Alfa Gardner; sisters, Iva Gardner and Mary Tucker; brother, George Lee Gardner; son, Keith Gardner; grandsons, Jason Gardner and Chad Hodge; and granddaughter, Kim Williams.
He is survived by his wife, Ocile Gardner of Jasper; daughter, Sandra Hambric (Paul) of Jasper; sons, Lecil Gardner (Kim) of Jasper, Ronnie Gardner (Trisha) of Jasper, Joe Gardner (Dee) of Jasper and Allen Gardner of Jasper; sisters, Ida Akins, Martha Steadman and Buela Black; eight grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.