Richard C. Gardner, Sr.

Richard C Gardner, Sr. 93, residing at Autumn Terrace in Perry, died Sunday, January 13, 2013. Graveside services will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, January 18, 2013, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Ga. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to your local church or charity. Born March 5, 1919 on a farm outside Camilla, Georgia, he was the son of the late Milton Cook Gardner and Jemima Dodson Gardner. He was a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and his post graduate work at Catholic University in Silver Springs, Maryland. Reverend Gardner's life revolved around the church, serving in many church's including, Bethel Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist near Americus, Georgia; Second Baptist Church, Ocala, Florida; First Baptist Church, Cross City, Florida; Lakeview Baptist, Rossville, Georgia; First Baptist Church of Oglethorpe, Georgia; New Providence Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia; Lyerly Baptist Church in Lyerly, Georgia. He retired for about a year and then served as pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Grange, Georgia until he fully retired at the age of 84 years old. Rev. Gardner is survived by his wife of 67 years, Louise Cochran Gardner; son, Richard C. Gardner, Jr. (Betty Sue) of Hinesville, Georgia; daughter, Martha Gardner Roland (Leif ) of Kennesaw, Georgia; three grandchildren, Christa Knowles (Sean) of Hawkinsville, Rashelle Benton (Dan) of Hawkinsville, and Richard Cochran Gardner of Hinesville; and four great grandchildren, Marena Knowles, Carleigh Knowles, Danielle Benton, and Sheldan Benton. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements. Rose Hill Cemetery is located at 1071 Riverside Drive. Located on Riverside drive between Spring Street and College street.