Obituary of Garnett Geraldine Gardner

Funeral Services for Garnett Geraldine Gardner of Paynesville, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2015 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, MO. Rev. Frank Welch pastor of the Pinot Baptist Church in Bowling Green, MO, will officiate with burial in Greenwood Cemetery in Clarksville, MO. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Gardner, Jeremiah Tipp, Richard Harding, G.T. Wheeler, Kevin Welch, Dickie Henderson; and honorary pallbearers will be Billy Jordan, Carl Brune, Josh Kelly, Wesley Wheeler and John Owens, Jr. Ms. Gardner, 71, passed away Friday afternoon, March 6, 2015 at her home in Paynesville. Born April 13, 1943, she was the daughter of Hershel Wesley and Lola Sylvia Stewart Gardner. Upon her parent's death when she was 13, Garnett's sister, Alma and her husband, Hubert brought her into their home where she was raised as one of their own. During Garnett's early years, she attended Ramsey Creek Baptist Church. Garnett graduated from Clopton High School in 1961. After graduation, Garnett worked several jobs in the Clarksville and Louisiana area. Garnett retired from Stark Brothers Nursery in November 1979 after over 20 years of service. Following her retirement, Garnett baked numerous wedding cakes and baked goods for events and functions. She was well known as being the lady who baked the huge dish pan angel food cakes. Upon the death of her sister, Alma in 1978, Garnett took the role as Mother to the Wheeler children. Garnett and her niece, Deborah lived together in Paynesville. Debbie stayed by her side each time she was a patient at DePaul hospital and DePaul Rehab Center. The family deeply appreciated the numerous hours that Debbie spent taking care of their Mother and Aunt. Garnett had a special friend, Gabrielle "Gabby" Christianson, who cared for her through the Blue Skies Home Care organization. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hershel and Lola Gardner; two brothers: Earl Gardner and Hershel Gardner; three sisters: Viola Gardner-Huff, Roberta Gardner-Skirvin and Alma Gardner-Wheeler; two infant sisters: Anna Marie and Wilma Frances Gardner; and one special brother-in-law, Hubert Wheeler, who she cared for throughout his illness. Survivors include her son, Richard Leon and his wife, Dianne (Tipp) Gardner of Paynesville; three grandchildren: Jeremiah Tipp of Bowling Green, MO, Richard Harding and his wife, Alicia, of Elsberry and Brandon Gardner of Troy; one great-grandson; and two great-granddaughters. Garnett also leaves a special niece, Deborah Diane Wheeler of the home; three nephews: Gary Dale Wheeler and his wife, Brenda, of Elsberry; Hubert Wesley Wheeler of rural Clarksville and Larry Wayne Wheeler of Elsberry; several great-nieces and great-nephews; other relatives, numerous neighbors and friends in the Paynesville and Clarksville area. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2015 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Pike County Hospice or Blue Skies Home Care in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.