Geneva Ruth Gardner

Mrs. Gardner was born on January 15, 1930 in Flemingsburg, KY, daughter of the late W.D. and Anna Belle McDowell Daulton.

Geneva was born in Northern Kentucky to middle aged tenant farmers (Anna, 39 & W.D. 47) in the midst of the Great Depression. She had two brothers that were ages 16 & 18 when the family announced the exciting birth of their baby girl. Quickly the boys left for college and Geneva became the head assistant on the farm and the apple of her Daddy’s eye. In 1939, the family purchased their own farm and worked to make improvements. Without a vehicle, life for Geneva meant living ON and IN the country. This gave her the opportunity to learn core values and take pride in her family. Around this time the local Presbyterian church would send transportation out to the farms and invite children to come to church. This was the beginning of her journey of faith and it impacted her life from this point on. At age 10, she was supported by her family and became a member of the Methodist church. She notes in several journal entries that this is when "The Church" became "My Church.” “This is where the lessons of life have been woven into the texture of my soul," she says. Geneva’s mother was firm and encouraging. She believed in doing your very best to educate yourself (making all A’s), finding creative uses for things (waste not and you will want not), and also having big dreams. Geneva graduated from Fleming County High School in 1948 as the Valedictorian of her class. She took a college entrance exam and scored very high marks, but her heart's desire was to marry her sweetheart Bruce Gardner. They began their married life in 1949, in a newly built house on the family farm. Bruce went to Veteran’s Farming School and brought new technology and techniques back to the farm. He was quick to gain the respect of his community and fellow farmers. Geneva took on several jobs including assistant at a law firm, principal of the Wallingford Two-room school, bookkeeping at Cheap’s Chevrolet Garage and then her most beloved job - being a Mother. Geneva and Bruce were blessed with two children, Roberta & Bill and worked to instill the same values in their own children. They continued to live happily on the farm. In 1977, Geneva and Bruce took on an exciting new endeavor and felt the calling to become House Parents at The Methodist Home of Kentucky. Many from this time period called her Mrs. G. Here they became parent mentors to over 50 struggling youth, most of which were young men. After Bruce’s death, Geneva moved to Lexington, KY and continued the work she felt lead by God to do and fostered numerous teenagers. While in Lexington, Geneva opened her very own business, a cleaning company, FiberSeal of the Bluegrass and worked in sales for an interior designer. Geneva soon took on another new name, her grandmother name, “Nana” to Roberta & Paul’s children Robyn and Sean. In 1991, Geneva moved to Cartersville, GA and lived in the mother-in-law apartment in Paul & Roberta's home. It was always fun for her grandkids to sneak down to Nana’s and raid the candy jar or work on some craft projects together. Geneva was a highly regarded quilter, baker and crafter. She added her own flair to everything she created and had a zest for life. GG would soon receive the exciting news that another grandson would join their family. Bill and Laurie adopted their son Brian and GG lead the charge for accepting and loving him to the fullest. GG was a people person and continued to work while in Georgia. She worked for Janet Martin State Farm, and also in the Bakery at Publix. Geneva had a heart without limits. Her simple actions touched and truly changed the lives of many. Singing was another way Geneva honored the Lord. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the Chancel Choir, and was a member of UMW and her beloved tight-knit group “The Wild Bunch.” In notes she left for her memorial, she wanted everyone to know that GG has now joined God’s heavenly choir and can be heard singing “You are standing on Holy Ground! Amen!"

Mrs. Gardner is preceded in death by her loving husband of thirty-one years, William Bruce Gardner; daughter, Roberta Gardner Powell; brothers, Russell Gardner and Howard Gardner; sister, Lorena Gardner.

Survivors include her son, William Bruce (Laurie) Gardner, II of Windsor, ME; grandchildren, Robyn (Jeff) Rhodes of Cartersville, GA, Sean (Elizabeth) Powell of Cartersville, GA and Brian Gardner of Maynard, MA; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Sydney Rhodes; a host of beloved foster children also survive.

A Graveside service will be held at a later date in Flemingsburg, KY.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register book.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 has charge of the arrangements.