ifmitral &?ntir*
for M R S . R E A B Y K. G A R D N E R
* Thursday, January 20, 1983 -- 2:00 P. M. GREATER MT. CANAAN BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. L. T. Coley, Officiating

** OBITUARY **
" Precious in the sight o f the Lord is the death o f His saints." Psalm 116:16
On Saturday, January 15, 1983, Mrs. Reaby K. Gardner entered into eternal repose. Mrs. Gardner, the daughter o f the late Rev. Jack Knox and Mrs. Caroline Wilson Knox, was bom on May 12, 1904 in Columbia County. She was one o f fourteen children -- seven girls and seven boys.
A t the age o f twelve she was converted and baptized at the Clanton Baptist Church, but she also attended Water Branch, Simonia, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Churches. She later moved to Augusta and established her membership at Springfield Baptist Church. When she left Augusta to work in N ew Y o rk City, she joined the Mt. Olive Baptist Church. A fte r several years she returned to Augusta and permanently joined the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church under the pastorate o f Rev. G. L. Gaines where she served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and sang in the senior choir for a number o f years.
She attended the public schools in Columbia County, and upon coming to Augusta, she completed a home nursing course at the University Hospital which she utilized by nursing many patients. She attended the American Baptist Theological Semi nary at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, an extension o f the school o f theology o f Nashville, Tenn.
She was joined in matrimony to the Rev. J. C. Gardner on February 14,1942. She worked by his side as a dedicated minister's wife, assisting and promotingrmany Christian programs at his various churches. Mrs. Gardner was associated with the follow in g organi zations: Present president o f the Ministers' Wives Organization; member o f the Fair Deal Sewing and Christmas Saving Club which she joined in 1952; she served as vice-president and business mana ger for several years; member o f the Heroines o f Jericho and a for mer Most Ancient Matron o f the F .A .A .Y . Masons o f the Naomi Court and the Eastern Star; an active member o f the Missionary Society and served the needy by contributing and distributing foo d and clothing; a former member o f the Walker Baptist Asso ciation choir; a coordinator for Bible Schools in the Tenth District, sponsored by the Southern Baptist Association.
Survivors include a devoted husband, the Rev. J. C. Gardner; a son, Dea. Cluise Knox; tw o step daughters, Mrs. Louise Shef field o f Jacksonville, Florida and Miss Mary Ida Gardner o f N ew York; one step son, Mr. James Gardner o f N ew York; a grandson, Tim othy Sinclair o f Jacksonville, Florida; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Rebecca Knox; one step daughter-in-law, Mrs. Inez Gardner; tw o god children, Mrs. Brenda Tutt and Mrs. Benita Bums; de dicated nieces, Mrs. Carrie L. Hughes and Mrs. Emma Hester; a favorite cousin, Mrs. Lucile Patterson; other nieces, nephews, relatives, and a constituency o f friends.

** ORDER OF SERVICE **

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Rev. E. T. Martin

PROCESSIONAL SCRIPTURE

Rev. Rudolph Mays

PRAYER

Rev. J. S. Wright

SELECTION

Choir

REMARKS (Three Minutes) Rev. Nathaniel Irvin, former Pastor Dea. .Bennie Brown, Deacon of Mt. Canaan Mrs. Alpha H. Westbrook, neighborhood Mrs. Rebecca Johnson, Religious and Fair Deal Activities

SELECTION .................................................................................Choir

RESOLUTIONS: Ministers' Wives -- Representative White Rock Baptist Church -- Choir Member

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND CONDOLENCES ............................................... Miss Mildred Irish

SELECTION

EULOGY ........................................................... Rev. L. T. Coley

RECESSIONAL

INTERMENT

Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery

** ACTIVE PALLBEARERS ** Deacons and Trustees of
Greater Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church
** HONORARY PALLBEARERS ** Members of the Ministers' Conference
He who makes a sacrifice So another may succeed, Is indeed a true disciple Of our blessed Savior's creed. For when we serve our fellowmen In sacrifice and love, We are "laying up rich treasure" In God's Kingdom up above.
*
In acknowledgement, members of Mrs. Reaby K. Gardner's family wish to express their sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the many kind expressions of thoughtfulness.
WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME