Bro. Gardner was born, Marvin Arnette Gardner, in Houston, TX on July 5, 1937 to Sheirell and Billie Gardner. The family moved to New Waverly, TX where he graduated from New Waverly High School in 1955. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Bro. Gardner owned barber shops in Hunstville and Conroe while completing two years of education at Sam Houston State University. In 1963, Bro. Gardner began studies at Texas Baptist Institute Seminary, graduating in 1967.
Bro. Gardner was a Missionary Baptist pastor for 47 years. He pastored churches in Avenger, Gary, Johntown, and Greggton, Texas. He moved to Tyler, TX in 1975 where he started Heritage Baptist Church as a mission project. Bro. Gardner then started Vanderbilt Baptist Church as a mission project in Tyler in 1999, where he pastored until his retirement from the ministry in 2011.
Bro. Gardner was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Pat Gardner and Gene Gardner. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Evelyn Gardner. Marvin and Evelyn are the parents of 6 children. Son Wendell Gardner, wife Beth, with two children James and John. Daughter Jackie Glasscock, husband James, with three children Jeremy, Jessica and Justin with his wife Nicole and two children Peyton and Kason. Son Darrell Gardner, wife Karen, and two children Jacob and Katie with daughter Caroline. Son Clint Gardner, wife Renee, and two children CJ and JP. Son Vic Gardner. Son Kenneth Gardner, wife Debbie, and four children Emily Ashmore with husband Craig, Kenzie, Allison, and Ryan. Bro. Gardner is also survived by his sister Barbara Allen and husband Wayne, and sister-in-law Patricia Gardner. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and their families.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Park Place Nursing Facility for the wonderful care they provided to Bro. Gardner.
Visitation is scheduled to be held at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler, TX Monday Oct. 2nd, 2017 from 6-8PM. Funeral services are scheduled to be held at Sam Houston Memorial Park Funeral Home in Huntsville, TX Tuesday Oct. 3rd, 2017 beginning with visitation at 1PM, funeral at 2PM, and burial to follow immediately after at East Sandy Cemetery in New Waverly, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vanderbilt Baptist Church in Tyler Texas at PO Box 9711 Tyler TX 75711 for Pine Springs Baptist Camp.
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