Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC. | Florence, SC

Obituary For Mr. Joseph Gardner

Funeral service for Mr. Joseph (Joe) Gardner, 83, of Florence, SC, will be conducted 12 Noon, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Mt. Zion AME Church, 1305 E, Cheves St., Florence. Interment will follow in Florence National Cemetery, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Mr. Joe, as he was affectionately called was born to the late James Webster and Mable Brown Gardner on February 15, 1936 in Florence County. He died on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Mr. Joe attended school in the Florence County Public School System, enlisted in the United States Army and later began a career as a brick mason and retired after 50 years of service.

At an early age, Mr. Joe attended Wayside Baptist Church in Florence, SC.

In 1964, he married Mary Reed Gardner and to this union five children were born.

Mr. Joe was Master Mason in Champion Lodge #381 of Florence, SC.

His favorite football team was the Carolina Panthers and he loved watching Western TV shows.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Gardner; two daughters, Sandra (Kenneth) Phillips and Deshanzor Gardner; three sons, Joseph Gardner Jr, Gary Gardner, and William Gardner; twelve grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Tindal; one brother, John Gardner; one sister-in-law, Evelina Reed; a special nephew, Michael Plowden; a special niece, Wanda (Hamburger) Reed; a host of nephews; nieces; other relatives and friends.

Masonic rites will be held from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at J. O. & Annette Smith Memorial Chapel, 307 S. Johns St., Florence and other times at 901 Layton St., Florence.

Guest Book

God will sustain you with his "right hand of righteousness" during this difficult time and through each passing day. Isaiah 41:10 says: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness." Isaiah 41:13; I "am grasping your right hand, the One [God] saying to you,...'I will help you." Please accept my sincere condolences. Always remember God loves you and he cares for you! (Psalm 36:7; 1 Peter 5:7)

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Praying for you all sorry for loss ! PattyWilliams

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Praying for you all sorry for loss ! PattyWilliams

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Praying for you all sorry for loss ! PattyWilliams

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KEEPING ALL OF YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. LOVE ALWAYS THE HENICKS FAMILY

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Dear Family, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. My sincere condolences to you. May you think of the many beautiful memories that you shared with Mr. Joseph,and cherish those precious moments. May the God of all comfort caress your heart with his living promise to one day reunite you together again, in the future paradise mentioned at Revelation 21:4,5. Our Dear Heavenly Father Jehovah(Psalms 83:18) knows the many tears you cry, and He will sustain you , if you let him. I was thinking of you and hoping that you can find comfort during this difficult time. If later you would like to learn more from the bible about why we die or why does our loving Heavenly Father allow so much suffering and injustice. Please feel free to go to the website: www.jw.org to find satisfying answers.

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