James Gardner

COLUMBUS, Miss. - James W. Gardner, 93, died Jan. 26, 2002, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus.

Born Oct. 16, 1908, in Fayette County, Ala., son of the late Moses E. "Buddy" and Apsie L. Manasco Gardner, he was a farmer in Fayette and Marion counties in Alabama before moving to Sikeston, Mo., in 1951. He also farmed and retired from the Sikeston Public Schools and lived in Columbus for the past 18 months.

His wife, Odessa Mae White Gardner, preceded him in death.

Survivors include: six sons, the Rev. Robert E. Gardner of Sikeston, the Rev. James D. Gardner of Columbus, Charlie G. Gardner of Anderson, Ind., Derrell D. Gardner of St. Charles, Mo., John M. Gardner of Smyrna, Tenn., and the Rev. William D. Gardner of Bowling Green, Ky.; two daughters, Virginia Deason of Blodgett, Mo., and Martha Trull of Kennedy, Ala.; and 43 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild.

Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the Living Faith Tabernacle in Columbus with the Revs. James Gardner, Robert Gardner and Dale Gardner, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Living Faith Tabernacle Cemetery.

His sons will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.