Melanie Terrell Gardner

Melanie Josephine Terrell Gardner, age 88, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, passed away on July 10, 2026. Melanie was a graduate of Ramsey High School, and she next attended Mary Baldwin College in Virginia. She graduated from Auburn University, where she was a charter member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, serving as both Chaplin and then Vice-President. She later received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Melanie was an active and sustaining member of the Junior League of Birmingham, tutoring children in the Junior League programs for many years. Melanie was a sixty plus year member of the Country Club of Birmingham, where she enjoyed many family celebrations, particularly those involving the sports and activities of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, William “Bill” F. Gardner. She is survived by her two sons, John Lucien Gardner and Robert Terrell Gardner; John's wife Tracey Gardner, their children John Lucien ("Lucien") Gardner, Jr. (Mary Catherine), their children, Benjamin Gray Gardner, Lydia Grace Gardner; Catherine Taylor ("Taylor") Gardner Nicholson (Zachary) and their child, Ceclia Grace Nicholson; Robert's wife Ginna Gardner, their children Rhett Britton Monroe, William ("Buddy") Fenwick Gardner, II and Laura Lacy Gardner. She is also survived by her beloved older brother, Robert A. Terrell (Maryetta), and nephews, Allen and Brandon.

She was a cherished member of the congregation of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Mountain Brook, where she will be dearly missed by her loving church family. Services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Mountain Brook. A private graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Peter's Church Anglican Church (3207 Montevallo Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35223).

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.