. Hessie Lee Gardner, affectionally known as Papa, was born January 16, 1941 in Kite, GA (Johnson County) to the parentage of the late Mr. W. Gordon and the late Mrs. Lanie Gardner Archie.
Mr. Hessie departed his life on July 22, 2022 at Fairview Hospital in Dublin, GA after an extended illness.
Public viewing will be held Monday, July 25, 2022 at Davis Funeral Home Chapel from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at St Paul Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Bartow, GA.
Mr. Hessie Lee Gardner was married for 60 loving years to Mrs. Pearlean Gardner who preceded him in death October of 2020. Together they were blessed with eight devoted children. He was a loyal employee for over 50 years at Everett Dykes Grassing Company until his retirement in January of 2009. Mr. Hessie enjoyed working the land, planting gardens year-round which allowed him to graciously share the fruits of his labor with family and friends. In his free time, he would relax in his favorite chair affectionally known as “Papa’s chair” where you could find him watching one of three things: WWE Wrestling, old westerns, or the Atlanta Braves. Win, lose, or draw Mr. Hessie was a loyal Atlanta Braves fan. During the 2021 Atlanta Braves World Series Championship season he was able to attend a game allowing three generations to experience the love of a sport and team that was dear to him. Papa was an easy-going man whose words were always gentle and full of kind-hearted advice that was unmatched. Mr. Hessie was preceded in death by three sister-in laws, four brother in-laws, one daughter-in-law and two nephews.
Mr. Hessie leaves to cherish his memory: eight children: Tommie Lee Gardner of Bartow, GA, Edward Gardner of Louisville, GA, Maryann Gardner of Statesboro, GA, Glenda Sue (Wendell) Tarver of Louisville, GA, Aaron Gardner (Lisa) of Vidalia, GA, Hessie Lee Gardner Jr. of Bartow, GA, Jamie Gardner of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, and Allison Gardner of Swainsboro, GA; four siblings: Pastor Lessie Mae (Henry) Williams of Swainsboro, GA, Dollie Mae (Bruce) Madison of Swainsboro, GA, Shirley (Charles) Williams of Swainsboro, GA, and Chasabell Gardner Spikes of Wadley, GA, one brother-in-law Louis Jackson of Wrightsville, GA; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, with one more expected in September 2022. He will be missed by a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends.
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