Mertha Elizabeth Gardner was born on November 27, 1941, to the late Joe William and Ella Weas Gardner in Pickens County, Alabama. She departed this life on August 31, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

On October 4, 1959, she married L. Andrew Gardner and to this union five children were born. Mertha was a dedicated wife, mother, granny, gigi, aunt, cousin, sister-in-law, and friend.

In her early years, she attended Magbee Elementary, Mamiesville Middle, and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1959. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Tabernacle CME Church. After marriage, she joined Providence MB Church. Later, she united with New Baptist Temple M.B. Church and served faithfully for 40 years as First Lady.

While serving as First Lady, Mertha held positions as Vice-President of the Missionary Society, Program Coordinator for the Women’s Auxiliary of the East Mt. Olivet Association, mass choir member, and usher board member.

Mertha was a dedicated worker, having been employed with Westinghouse in Reform, AL, Aurora Nursing Home, JCPenney, and the firecracker plant in Columbus, MS. After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher at Pickens County High School and South Lamar High School.

She was a member of the Lulah Chapter #52 Order of Eastern Star in Ethelsville, AL, where she served as Worthy Matron. She later became a member of the Holly Grove Chapter #739.

Mertha enjoyed cooking, traveling, being with her family, and loving her “gigi mom babies.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe William and Ella Weas Gardner; all of her siblings: sisters, Bertha Gardner, Vergie Thomas, Arnell Levy, Clemmie Gardner, Ardelia Green, Annie Guyton, Dorothy Chaney, and Earnestine Bozeman, and brothers, Joe Gardner, Arnie Gardner, and Wilker Gardner; one daughter-in-law, Ava Gardner; and one son-in-law, Bobby Leach.

Mertha’s memory will live on through her devoted husband, Rev. L. Andrew Gardner, Sr., of Millport, AL; her children: Rev. L. Andrew Gardner, Jr. (Stacy) of Lavergne, TN; Stephanie Leach of Gulfport, MS; Joseph Gardner, Sr. (Anna Faye) of Columbus, MS; Rev. Leonard Gardner, Sr. (Tracy) of Smyrna, TN, and Jada Gardner of Columbus, MS; her grandchildren: Elizabeth “Nikki” Lowe, Amber Lowe, Ebonye Cunningham, Isis Gardner, LaRon Gardner, Sr., Rev. Tyson Cunningham (Crystal), Joseph “JJ” Gardner, Jr. (Chineqwa), Coiera “Cori” Gardner, Lionel Coleman, Jasmine Gardner, Rev. Jeremiah Gardner (Corinthia), and Leonard Dale “DJ” Gardner, Jr.; her great-grandchildren: Quade Milum, Pharoah Milum, Christian Cunningham, Chylee Cunningham, Cade Cunningham, Zhuri Gardner, Haven Gardner, Harlei Gardner, LaRon Gardner, Jr., Dallas Gardner, Ean Cunningham, and Micah Gardner; her brothers-in-law: Rev. Willie James Gardner (Rosie), Rev. Clarence Gardner (Shelia), Henry Gardner, and Eugene Gardner; her sisters-in-law: Barbara Dumas, Bernette Gardner, Sanfo Morris, and Mattie Williams (George); four special goddaughters: Shirley Bush, Barbara Gulley, Charlena Taggart, and Wanda Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.