Martha Gardiner, 90, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022 after an at-home hospice stay. Born in Frog Jump, Tennessee on November 9, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Cecil and Dixie (Beaird) Baker.
After growing up in Frog Jump, Gates and then graduating from Halls High School, Martha moved to Memphis to attend Memphis School of Commerce. In class she sat in front of a fella who she thought was the best looking guy she had seen in her entire life. Soon they were courting. After graduating and starting to work at the Mallory Air Force Depot, she married William "Dick" Gardiner in April of 1950 and they lived a blessed life for over 70 years together surrounded by wonderful family.
Martha was a woman of faith and conviction that was evident to all. She was a prayer warrior and Bible Study leader devoting her life to the glory of God and the raising of her family. She was an active member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church and later Collierville United Methodist Church, with her lifelong journey with Jesus beginning at Archers Chapel in Frog Jump.
Along with her parents Martha was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Dick Gardiner; brother and sister-in-law, C.B. and Mary Ella Baker; brothers-in-law, Danny Meeks and James Mitchell; nephew, Steven Baker; daughter-in-law, Vera Coradini Gardiner; and brother-in-law Charles Gardiner and wife Nellie.
Surviving is son Ken Gardiner and wife Connie of Camden, Maine; grandson, Matthew Gardiner and wife Kristin of Covington, Tennessee; grandson, Andy Gardiner and wife Katie of Portland, Maine; granddaughter, Megan Gardiner of Camden, Maine; step-grandson, Tom Libby of Camden, Maine; great granddaughters, Brooklyn and Lillian Gardiner of Covington, Tennessee and Vera Marie Gardiner of Portland, Maine; brother and sister-in-law, Royce and Nellie Baker of Gates, Tennessee; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Kay Baker of Halls, Tennessee; sister, Linda Mitchell of Halls, Tennessee; nephew, Tommy Dillingham and wife Patsy of Poolesville, Maryland; nephew, Butch Baker and wife Janet of Halls, Tennessee; nephew, Jimmy Meeks and wife Mary Nola of Halls, Tennessee; nephew, David Meeks of Halls, Tennessee; nephew, Jeff Baker of Gates, Tennessee; niece, Jennifer Laria and husband Mike of Knoxville, Tennessee; nephew, Erick Baker and wife Mandy of Knoxville, Tennessee; nephew, John Meeks and wife Terri of Halls, Tennessee; nephew, Clayton Gardiner and wife Kathy of Lignum, Virginia; nephew, Clifton Gardiner and wife Tamara of Water Valley, Mississippi... and all their extended families. Martha leaves many cousins, in-laws, and friends who were all loved and special to her.
Martha was a wonderful daughter, wife, Mama, Ma, and "Aunt Mot" to her family and has gone home with the Lord. Her life and God's glory will be celebrated in the chapel at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue in Memphis at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM with the burial at Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville to follow the chapel service.
In lieu of flowers, if you choose to do so, memorial gifts may be made to: Collierville United Methodist Church, the Employees Fund at Kirby Pines Retirement Community or a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Gardiner family.
