l:fje ennce of :memorp 
 
PRESIDING 
 
Rev. Fred Cook 
 
PRELUDE 
 
Musician 
 
PROCESSIONAL 
 
HYMN ~~How Great Thou Art" Combined Choir 
 
SCRIPTIJRES Old Testament - Psalm 27 
Rev. Henry Youmans New Testament- Revelation 21:1-7 
Rev. Robbie Dix 
 
PRAYER OF COMFORT 
 
Rev. Virgin Johnson 
 
EXPRESSIONS 
 
Mr. Earl Gathers American Legion Post 239 
 
Mr. Willie B. Owens Omega Psi Phi Fraternity 
 
Dea. Norman Gillyard Happy Home Baptist Church 
 
SELECTION 
 
WORDS OF COMFORT & HOPE 
 
Rev. B.J. Donaldson 
 
TRIBUfE BENEDICTION RECESSIONAL 
 
Erwin Gardner (Son) 
 
.... Interment .... Zion Cemetery Allendale, South Carolina 
 
A husband is a special man_ he's strong enough to lean on yet sensitive enough to share his feelings - He's a man to take pride in_ for what he does, and for what he is - He's the one who shares the secret places of your heart, where no one else has been before He listens to you, and hears the feelings that go deeper than W' 
 
A husband is a man you really like _ and really love He's the closest friend you've ever had His smile can make you smile along, and just his being there can cheer you up, no matter what goes wrong - - A husband is that special man who shares your dreams and keeps them coming true - He gives the special meaning to that beautiful word togetherness. 
your Covino wife, 'Tiiomasena 
 
iather is a friend; Who will stay by your side A loyal companion, A teacher and guide A warmhearted listener; Whenever you're blue And ever and always, A guardian to you - - A father can strengthen, console and inspire. He's someone to honor, To love and admire--You were all of these things, And even more, too. And that's why no father is loved more than you. 
Your children 
 
Active Pall Bearers Deacons and Trustees American Legion Post 239 
 
Honarary Pall Bearers Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 
 
Flower Bearers Ladies of Happy Home Baptist Church 
Musician Norman Boynton 
 
Note of Appreciation 
WordS' are inaaequate to exyress tlie fiumiifeness antl gratefu[ness we fee[ towara a[[ our friendS wfio Fiave consofeaus aurtno our oereavement. Your Cove, yrayers, yresence antl service lias sustainea us. Your cardS', tefegrams, ffowers antlgifts offooawere warmfy apyreciatetf. We saw a[[ of tliese as (1od's [ove . exyressea tlirOUfJFi you. Wfiatever you c{itf to consofe our liearts we tfiank you very mucli! 
-The Family- 
Arrangements Entrusted To CAPERS- GARDNER- HARNEY FUNERAL HOME 
Allendale, South Carolina 
 
Cave Printing, Allendale; 584-7070 
 
en>ice of <tefe6ration 
for 
Leon :foriest (jardner, Sr. 
unSal' ~ftemoon Januacy 12, 199'1 
2:30p.m. 
Jfayyy Jfome 13aytist Cfiurcfi :A{fendafe, Soutfi Carouna 
 
 Pops 
by: Carole Gardner 
Once so firm, The voice that bellowed. Towering with strength, The voice that commanded. Dominating the room, The voice that echoed. 
Faces from the pulpit Staring with attention, Grandchildren hiding As the belt was lifted. 
Controller of the House. Leader of the Church. Ruler ofthe Meetings. Head of the School. 
Time strips the Dominance, The Power, ...the Authority The body fails its master. Weak, Frail, and Thin, Yet life still lingers. 
Dragging and sagging The voice that now squeaks, Inaudible and exhaustible, The voice that now shatters Expressionless and battered, The voice that now fades .... 
The voice, the voice, the voice, The Voice that once was. 
 
~.6ituary 
A fulfilling life came to a close on Thursday morning, January 9, 1997, when Mr. Leon F. Gardner, Sr. of Allendale, South Carolina joined those in that home not built by hands. 
Mr. Leon F. Gardner, Sr. of Allendale was born December 9, 1909 in Allendale County. He was a son of the late Mr. Edward Gardner and Mrs. Carrie Erwin Gardner. He joined Happy Home Baptist Church at an early age. He received his early education in Allendale County Schools and completed high school at Benedict College. He graduated from South Carolina State College, where he received a BS degree in Agriculture and a Master of Science degree from the same institution. 
Mr. Gardner taught vocational agriculture at Ridge Hill High School, Ridge Spring, South Carolina for seven years. He served in the United States Army during World War II. While there he was an instructor. He became employed with the Allendale County Schools as an instructor in 1945. He became principal in 1969 of the C.V. Bing High School and retired as principal of the Allendale Junior High School in 1975. After retirement, he was employed at the University of South CarolinaSalkehatchie in the area of Recruting and Public Relations. 
Mr. Gardner was a dedicated member of Happy Home Baptist Church where he served faithfully as Chairman of the Deacon Board until his health failed. He was past Moderator of the Mt. Calvary Brothers Union. He was a member of the Mu Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the American Legion Post 239. He was a past member of the Board of Directors for Allendale County Rural Health Program, Aeronautics Commission, and Mental Retardation Board. He was a past member of the NAACP. 
Mr. Gardner was the recipient of numerous citations and awards for public service to mankind, including special recognition for thirty years of service in Vocational Agriculture Education (1967); "Omega Man of the Year" by Mu Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1974); and the "Silver Anniversary Citation" for twenty-five years of Distinguished Service to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (1979). Upon retirement in 1975, he received a thirty-seven year award as an Outstanding and Dedicated Educator. 
His survivors include: a devoted wife, Thomasena Hammond Gardner; three sons: Leon F. (Carol) Gardner, Jr. of Dover, Delaware, Edward (Dianna) Gardner of St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Erwin Gardner of Statesboro, Georgia; a daughter: Gloria Gardner of Dover, Delaware; one brother-in law: Robert Hammond of Marion, South Carolina; five grandchildren: Sonya, Davita, and Leon ill all of Delaware, Carole of Allendale, and Eduardo of St. Croix; one niece: Gloria G. Rosemond of Gaffney; one nephew: Dr. Carroll V. Bing of Greenville; three great-grandchildren, all of Delaware; and a host of grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins and very dear friends.