Lou Rae Gardner

A devoted member of Little Flock Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, KY, Lou Rae faithfully served in ministry alongside her beloved husband, the Reverend Ferrill Gardner, throughout their 50 years of marriage. Together, they ministered to churches across Larue, Hart, Green, Hardin, Jefferson, and Bullitt counties. The majority of their ministry was spent at Mill Creek Baptist Church in Radcliff, KY, where they served for 11½ years, and at Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, where they served for 21½ years until the conclusion of Rev. Gardner’s full-time ministry. Earlier in their ministry, they served at Aetna Grove Baptist Church, Trammel Creek Baptist Church, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Zion Baptist Church, Middle Creek Church, and Friendship #2 Baptist Church, where their journey began.

Lou Rae gave her life to Christ at the age of 12 and lived each day as a testament to her deep and abiding faith. She will be remembered as a true prayer warrior—someone many turned to in times of need, knowing she would lift them up in prayer. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, always providing steadfast support to her husband and family. Lou Rae lived humbly, never seeking the spotlight, always directing praise and glory to her Lord and Savior.

Her family remembers her as a deeply loving and sacrificial woman, whose life was marked by grace, strength, and unwavering devotion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ferrill Gardner (2005); her daughter, Sheila Kay Gardner; and her granddaughter, Riki Lynn Gardner. She is survived by her daughter, Glenda Hatfield (Kevin); sons, Tim Gardner (Valerie) and Rick Gardner (Teri); her sister, Betty Nall (Donald); grandchildren, Amanda (Travis), Matthew (Chelsea), Brandon, Jonathan, Megan (Chris), Christopher, Paige (Lukas), and Madison; great-grandchildren, Colson, Noah, Cameron, Emma, Tate, and Collins; and her beloved canine companion, Marley.

A funeral service celebrating Lou Rae’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Little Flock Baptist Church, 5500 N. Preston Hwy, with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia, KY. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and after 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Gideons International or Educating With Hope [www.educatingwithhope.com]