Anthony Gardner

Obituary Anthony Bernard Gardner was born August 10, 19494 to Ms. W. Marie Gardener and the late Mr. Willie L. Stevens. Anthony was a proud graduate of J.S. Abrams High School, Class of 1967. After graduation he attended Tuskegee Institute, pursing a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education in 1971. He later obtained his Masters of Education at Alabama State University. Anthony had a successful career as an Educator, Coach of Football, Basketball and Baseball; as well as an officiator at Mt. Olive High School, Seale, Alabama, and West End High School, Birmingham, Alabama, where he later retired. Anthony accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and united with Morning Star United Methodist Church under the leadership of E.D. Ridgeway. He later joined Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend George C. McCulloh in Opelika, Alabama. In recent years, Anthony has enjoyed his local membership at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Emmanuel Foster in Bessemer, Alabama. Anthony had also enjoyed fellowshipping with his wife, daughters and granddaughters at the Kingdom Church of Auburn, Alabama where Mario C. Brown is the Pastor. Anthony met and married Ella M. Jones, December 22, 1973. To this union two beautiful daughters were born, Terra LaJoie and LaShonva Marie. He was preceded in death by: brothers, David and Michael Stevens; sister, Cynthia Southall. Loving memories of Anthony will be forever cherished by: a loving and devoted wife, Ella Gardner, Opelika, AL; three daughters, Dedra Gulley, Bessemer, AL, Terra LaJoie and LaShonva Gardner, Opelika, AL; grandchildren, Phajah Chantel Gardner and Keirra D’Andria Farrow; loving and wonderful mother, W. Marie Gardner; sisters, Shirley Wilson, St. Louis, MO, Ora Faye Carter, Birmingham, AL, Jacqueline (Rev. Jessie) Burton, Tuscaloosa, AL and Barbara (Sid) Bryant, Birmingham, AL; brothers, Reginald (JoAnn) Stevens, Tuscaloosa, AL and Marcus A. Stevens, Birmingham, AL; sisters-in-law, Annie Tarver, Baltimore, MD and Elease (Melvin) Askew, Charlotte, NC; brothers-in-law, Eddie Turk, Auburn, AL and Clarence (Belinda) Jones, Baltimore, MD; uncle, Silas Stevens, Buffalo, NY and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.