Obsequies for Chaplain (LTC) Elijah Harris Gardner, May 21, 1934- March 22, 1978, Service, Thursday Afternoon, March 30, 1978, Three O'Clock, Happy Home Baptist Church, Allendale, South Carolina

The Family Tribute
Elijah had a great love and compassion for his family and for people in all walks of life.
He united with the Clifton Baptist Church, Allendale County, South Carolina at an early age.
As a youth, Elijah was ambitious, worked hard, and strove for excellence in all of his endeavors.
He made friends very easily and had a special gift for making everyone feel that they were very special. To know him was to experience a rare personality.
Elijah's love for people and his desire to help them influenced him to enter into the ministry. The philosophy of Elijah's life was to love, to work, to live each day to its fullest, and to spread the joy of God by touch ing the lives of others.
On April 21, 1962, Elijah took Hermenia Thecla Cooper for his wife, friend and confidant. From this union, three sons were born, Elijah Harris III (deceased), Elijah Harris IV, and Troy Augustus. Gardner, as he was lovingly called by me, his wife, was a loving and beloved husband, a protecting caring, stimulating and exciting friend. Gardner .was indeed, the joy of my life.
1 Daddy waf~:_:laym~e an? friE;'nd. When will we see him again? "When I Must Leave You"
When I must leave you for a little while Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the years But start out bravely with a gallant smile; And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all things the same. Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour with useful ways. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheerAnd I, in turn, will comfort you and hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky!
--Helen Steiner Rice

Flower Bearers
Friends of the Family

Honorary Pallbearers

Rev. Washington Garvin, Jr. Rev. Ben Burison Dea. Ben Harley

Rev. Ernest McKay

Rev. T. M. Dixon Rev. S. J. Tilly

Rev. D. S. Mitchell

Rev. W. M. Brooks Mr. G. M. Hickson

Gardner-Harney Funeral Home, Inc. Allendale, South Carolina

-for-
Chaplain (LTC) Elijah Harris Gardner
MAY 21, 1934 - MARCH 22, 1978
Service Thursday Afternoon, March 30, 1978
Three O'Clock Happy Home Baptist Church,
ALLENDALE, SOUTH CAROLINA

The Obituary
CHAPLAIN ELIJAH HARRIS GARDNER was born May 21, 1934, Allendale County, South Carolina, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Harris Gardner.
He was called to the ministry and ordained by the Wateree Baptist Association, Sumter, South Carolina on July 5, 1958 with the Reverend L. Williams, Moderator, presiding.
His academic achievements included: A Bachelor of Arts Degree, Morris College, Sumter, S. C.; Bachelor of Divinity, Howard University, Washington, D. C.; Master Degree of Sacred Theology, Boston University, Boston, Mass. ; graduate study, Harvard University; Master of Science Degree, Long Island University, Doctorate of Ministry, New York Theological Seminary.
Prior to entering the United States Army Chaplaincy, he served as a public school teacher in Ridgeland, South Carolina; Director of Public Relations, Morris College; and Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Chaplain Gardner came to active duty April 30, 1965, and served until God called him home on March 22, 1978. Advancing from the rank of First Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel which was awarded posthumously, 23 March, 1978. His military assignments were wide and varied having served in the continental United States, Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Outstanding military honors include: United States Army Commendation Medal- Meritorious Service, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; United States Army Air Medal Meritorious Service for Flight Ministry; 3 Bronze Stars - Exceptionally Meritorious; 1 Bronze Star "Valor" - Bravery in Combat, heroism under fire; Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal, 1st Class- Ministry to the 25th Division; Meritorious Service Award (June 1973) Hawaii; Appointment to Regular Army (30 June 1970).
Upon returning from a recent retreat, Gardner renewed in the strength and power of God. He said "I'm sniffing the wind to see what God would have me do: Here am I Oh Lord, send me." We know that the grave is not holding his love, concern and compassion ... for he was a servant of mankind.
He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Hermenia Thecla, twosons, Elijah IV, and Troy, all of Fort Richardson, Alaska. Sister, Gloria Rosemond, of Gaffney, South Carolina. Brother, Olin Gardner, of Washington, D. C., and a host of relatives and friends around the world.

The Order of Service
The Reverend Horace P. Sharper - Presiding

ORGAN PRELUDE-

PROCESSIONAL-

HYMN-

THE SCRIPTURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reverend W. L. Bowman
Old Testament - Isaiah 6: 1-8 New Testament- John 9: 1-5

THE PRAYER OF COMFORT: Chap. (Col.) Robert B. Howerton, Jr. Command Chaplain, 172 Infantry Brigade (Alaska)

THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CONDOLENCES, OBITUARY AND FAMILY TRIBUTE...... . Mrs. Merdis Harper
SOLO .. ..... .. .. The Holy City . . . . . . . . Mrs. Clarease Murdaugh

WORDS OF COMFORT AND TRIBUTE Dr. Luns C. Richardson, President, Morris College Chaplain (Ltc.) Charlie Mills Chaplain (Maj.) Matthew Zimmerman, Jr., Washington, D. C.
The Reverend T. M. Dixon Chaplain (Col.) Robert B. Howerton, Jr., Command Chaplain 172 Infantry Brigade (Alaska)

SOLO ..... I Have Done' My Work . . . . Mrs. Clarease Murdaugh

THE EULOGY . .. . .. ... The Reverend Horace P. Sharper, Pastor Genesis Baptist Church, Newark, Nev; Jersey
HYMN-

THE BENEDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Reveren~ Willie Wilson

Dunton United Methodist Chur~h, Gaffney, S. C.

RECESSIONAL--

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The family of the late Chaplain Elijah Harris Gardner acknowledges with sincere appreciation all messages and expressions of sympathy and love during these hours of bereavement.