Betty was born on November 17, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, to George Leroy Cloud and Myrtle Naomi Cloud. She graduated from Woodlawn High School.
On August 16, 1958, she married the love of her life, Edwin I. Gardner, Sr., and together they built a life and family that meant everything to her. Family was the center of her world, and she cherished every moment spent with her husband, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren.
Betty began her working life at Moore-Handley Hardware and Standard Oil before devoting herself to raising her children as a stay-at-home mom. After her amazing years as a stay-athome mom, she had a very distinguished career, working in the administrative office for Oklahoma Attorney General Susan Loving and Alabama Attorney General Jeff Sessions. She completed her career serving in the Executive Office of Montgomery Mayor Emory Folmar and the then-Pell City Mayor, Gwin Robinson.
Throughout her life, Betty was deeply committed to serving her community. She served on the Board of Directors for Children’s Place, and was an active member of the St. Vincent’s St. Clair Auxiliary, the Drug Court of St. Clair County, and the Auxiliary of St. Vincent’s East Hospital. She also generously gave her time as a volunteer for Lakeside Hospice.
Betty was a devoted Christian whose faith was central to her life. She loved singing in her church choir and, in earlier years, served as a pianist for her church. Her love of music extended beyond the church walls — she loved to travel to see her favorite gospel music groups in concert through the United States, and she spent her life surrounded by the people and music she loved.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin I. Gardner, Sr.; her four children: Tammy Gardner Melvin, Holly Gardner Rogers (Bobby), Ginger Gardner Aarons (Dr. David), and Edwin Gardner, Jr. (Alecia); 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Patricia “Cush”
McCullough Nix; and her brother, Royce Wesley Cloud. Above all else, family was the greatest joy of her life, and she poured her love into her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren every day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Leroy Cloud and Myrtle Naomi Cloud
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Trussville, 128 N Chalkville Rd, Trussville, AL 35173, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Funeral will follow beginning at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Trussville.
A Committal Service will be held at Seddon Historic Cemetery in Pell City, AL on August 26, 2026, beginning at 3:00 pm.
