Rebecca Louise Gardner

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Charles R. “Chuck” Gardner. She leaves behind her daughters, Amy (Bill) Winchester of Chattanooga, TN; Karen (Jim) Eaton of Knoxville, TN; her son, Mike (Molly) Gardner of Jackson, TN; grandchildren Bill Winchester (Ayana), Charles Winchester, Zach Winchester (Lane), Becca Pendergrass (Bill), Kristin Sharp (Donnie), Sara Holland (Jack), Anna Kail (Cody), Lauren Saliba (Greg), and Kate Foust (Logan); 23 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Becky was born on April 2,1930 in Clarksville, TN to the late Clyde and Irene Davis Abernathy. Her sister, Metta Robison and brother, Brandon Abernathy, both of Clarksville, TN preceded her in death.

Becky was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed her home and flowers, and her door was always open to welcome family and friends. Mother loved to give; flowers from her yard, something baked, and hugs. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and going to the lake with her family and sending cards. For more than 50 years she treasured dear friends in the Canasta Club, and friends in the Country Homes Garden Club of Whites Creek, TN.

Mother’s faith and church were a large part of her life. She read the Upper Room daily, and was an active member of Antioch UMC of Clarksville, St. Andrew’s UMC and Bellshire UMC of Nashville, and Middlebrook UMC of Knoxville, where she joined the Believers Class and the Mary Rayfield Circle, making many close friendships.

Pallbearers are her grandsons Bill, Charlie, Zach, Bill, Donnie, Jack, Cody, Greg, and Logan.

Honorary pallbearers are her granddaughters, Ayana, Lane, Becca, Kristin, Sara, Anna, Lauren and Kate

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 10:00 AM

to 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1150 South Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN 37072. Following the gathering of family and friends there will be a graveside service at 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

A special thank you to the caring, loving staff, and residents at the Ben Atchley Veterans home.

Memorial donations may be made to Ben Atchley Veterans Home, One Veteran’s Way, Knoxville, TN 37931, Attention: Activities Department.