Dorlene J. Gardner

Dorlene J. Gardner, age 88, passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. Dorlene was born September 21, 1926 in Smackover, Arkansas to E. Ted and Geneva Sumner.

She was married to her loving husband of 35 years, Patrick E. Gardner, who preceded her in death in 1987. As an Air Force family, they were stationed at Sampson AFB, New York, Lowry AFB, Denver Colorado, Security Service Kelly AFB and Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. She resided in San Antonio from 1965 to her passing. Together they raised two sons, Michael and Barry.

Dorlene was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was best known for her fabulous southern cooking. Her joy was cooking for those she loved and it was a treat to savor her wonderful food, especially her pot roast! She enjoyed watching her boys growing up playing competitive sports and never missed a game through college. She, herself, had a competitive spirit. Some of her most enjoyable trips included visiting home in Louisiana and fishing off the pier at the camp with her family followed by a Sumner fish fry.

She is survived by sons, Michael Gardner and wife Sheryl, Sugar Land, TX, Barry Gardner and wife Doreen, San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Patrick and wife Tricia, Brad, Ryan, Jordan, and great-granddaughter, Kylie. She is also survived by her brother, Col. Bob Sumner and wife, Denise, Fort Walton Beach FL; sister-in-law, Hazel Sumner, Baton Rouge LA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Horace Donald Sumner.

The family wishes to thank her special caregiver Lori Hollis and Vitas Hospice for their kind and loving care.

The family will receive friends from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2015.

SERVICE

FRIDAY

APRIL 10, 2015

8:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.