Joy Frances Gardner

Joy was born in Shirley, Arkansas on February 15, 1942 to Sherman and Ethel Bradford. Her parents moved to Ivanhoe, California when she was 18 months old where she was raised and educated, attending Elbow Creek, Ivanhoe and Redwood High School. Joy married Ernest Washington Gardner, Jr. in Fresno, California on May 13, 1957. They had known each other and stayed with the same babysitter since they were very small. Ernest and Joy made their home in the Los Angeles area for twelve years and then returned to Visalia to make their home and raise their sons. Joy attended Church of Christ Church for many years. She loved antiques and had a booth at The Works and Whites in Visalia. She also enjoyed shopping yard sales and selling on Ebay. Joy was a naturalist and enjoyed raising her own herbs. She loved doing genealogy and had several enlist her help in doing their own. Joy also enjoyed helping Ernest with his vegetable garden. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Joy will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Her hobby was crocheting and she made many award winning afghans that she shared with her family.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Ernest Gardner of Visalia; two sons, Richard Gardner and wife Sandy and Ronald Gardner and wife Rhonda , all of Visalia; one sisters, Shelby Hughes and husband Leon of Seminole, OK; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2014 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave in Visalia. Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 10 am at the Visalia District Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.