Mary C. Gardner

Mary C. Gardner passed away April 8, 2006, after a prolonged illness at her temporary residence in Jackson, MS. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. B. and Callie Frances Cleveland and her siblings, Pat Cleveland, Irene Loper, and Isom Cleveland of Union, MS, Ruby Allen of Ellisville, MS, Irvin and Lester Cleveland and Ola Mae Newton all of Epps, LA, Jennie Lou Bynum and J. B. Cleveland of Dallas, TX, and Sarah McMurtray of Gulfport. Mrs. Gardner was born February 19, 1918 near Union, MS where she lived until she graduated from high school. After several short term jobs, she moved to Gulfport where she had her home until she died. She worked in U. S. Civil Service, first at Gulfport Field and later until she retired at Keesler Air Force Base in the Civilian Personel Office. She was repeatedly recognized and promoted for outstanding work until she retired as a supervisor with the rank of G.S. 12. Wherever she went she was active and faithful with her church. Mrs. Gardner's last membership for forty years was in First Baptist Church of Gulfport. Mrs. Gardner is survived by her husband, John M. Gardner, whom she married November 22, 1956, and her daughter, Jane Gardner of Gulf Shores, AL, her children, Kimberly Traylor, Jamie Ann Traylor, and Kyle Jordan Gardner and his wife, Teresa Gardner; her daughter, Kay G. Robinson, who is married to Stephen K. Robinson, and by their children, Grant Gardner Robinson, Alex Stephen Robinson, and Anna Frances Robinson, all of Jackson, MS. She also had numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Gardner will live forever in the hearts of all who knew her. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport. The funeral service will be Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel where friends may visit one hour before the service. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport. The family prefers memorials to the Baptist Children's Village, P. O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060.