Baton Rouge, Louisiana Obituary published in The Advocate on: 4/16/02 GARDNER, ANNIE B. A homemaker and a resident of Baton Rouge, she died Saturday, April 13, 2002, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Mid City. She was 77 and a native of Centreville, Miss. Visiting at Winnfield Funeral Home from 2 p.m. Wednesday until religious services at 7 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Roosevelt Nolan. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Survived by her husband, Willie Gardner Sr.; a daughter, two sons, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 12/22/01 GARDNER, MERCEDES LEGRO "MERCI" A resident and native of Baton Rouge, she died at 3 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, 2001, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She was 91. Religious services at Rhodes United Fidelity Funeral Home at noon Saturday. Interment in Gilbert Memorial Park. Survived by two daughters, Eva Mae Buckney and Yvonne Rowe; two sons, Charlie Mills and Paul Hayes; 11 grandchildren, Toni Lynn White, John McCray, Joshua Mills, Ingrid Mills, George Mills, Fredrick Tate, Kendrick Mills, Anita Mills, Beverly Mills, Katie Hills of Las Vegas, Nev., and Janetta Hills of California; 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, William Gardner; parents, maternal grandparents, a daughter, two sisters and a brother. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 5/30/01 GARDNER, MERCEDES HARRIS "MERK" A homemaker and a resident of Baton Rouge, she died at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, May 24, 2001, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She was 52 and a native of Port Allen. Visiting at Shiloh Baptist Church, 950 7th St., Port Allen, from 6:30 p.m. Thursday until religious services at 7:30 p.m. Dismissal at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment in Old Folks Home Cemetery. Survived by three daughters, Darlene Wilson, Angela Gardner and Chandré Simmons; three sisters, Theresa Haynes, Beatrice Whitfield and Helen Peters; nine brothers, Ernest Jr., George, Carlie Ray, Johnny, Emmanuel, Herman, Lloyd, Floyd and Willie Harris; and nine grandchildren, Jazz and Jamari Wilson, Michael, Latrice and Corey Gardner, Tiara Gardner, Courtney Reed, Briana Mitchell and Charmaine James. Preceded in death by her forever husband, James Gardner; parents, Ernest and Beatrice Morgan Harris; and a favorite niece and nephew, Lolita Whitfield and Charles Lester Johnson. Winnfield Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 4/3/01 GARDNER, DOLORES JOHNSON A retired legal secretary, a resident of Mableton, Ga., and a native of Pembroke, Ga., she died Friday, March 30, 2001, in Baton Rouge at age 89. Memorial services at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 22, 2001. Survived by a daughter, Joanna Gardner of Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Episcopal Church. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 11/29/00 GARDNER, SR. EDWIN C. "ED" A resident of Baton Rouge, he died Monday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2000, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 83 and a native of Prospect, Ohio. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from noon until religious services at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. Fred Dyess. Graveside services in Norwood Cemetery, Norwood, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Louise Benton Gardner, Baton Rouge; a daughter, Dr. Jan Gardner Brobst, Arlington, Texas; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Jr. and Jean Gardner, Baker, and Frank "Ben" and Donna Gardner, Greenwell Springs; five grandchildren, Ed Gardner III, Michael Gardner, Bo Brobst, Ty Gardner and Gina Gardner; and a great-granddaughter, Chloe Gardner. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. He was a member of Brookstown Baptist Church. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 11/28/00 GARDNER SR., EDWIN C. "ED" A resident of Baton Rouge, he died Monday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2000, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 83 and a native of Prospect, Ohio. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., from noon Wednesday until religious services at 1:30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Fred Dyess. Graveside services in Norwood Cemetery, Norwood, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Louise Benton Gardner, Baton Rouge; a daughter, Dr. Jan Gardner Brobst, Arlington, Texas; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Jr. and Jean Gardner, Baker, and Frank "Ben" and Donna Gardner, Greenwell Springs; five grandchildren, Ed Gardner III, Michael Gardner, Bo Brobst, Ty Gardner and Gina Gardner; and a great-granddaughter, Chloe Gardner. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. He was a member of Brookstown Baptist Church. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 6/4/00 GARDNER, OPAL "RUTH" A homemaker and a resident of Clinton, she died at 11:40 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2000, in Gonzales. She was 73 and a native of Mountainview, Okla. Graveside services at Port Hudson National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday, conducted by Brother Alan Rust. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Alan Rust, Gonzales; two sons and daughters-in-law, Robbie and Julie Gardner, Clinton, and Bruce and Heather Gardner, Baton Rouge; four sisters; two brothers; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Robert B. Gardner; parents, George C. and Florence Young Hayes; two brothers; and a grandson. Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, in charge of arrangements. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 2/22/00 GARDNER, CORINE PHILLIPS A resident and native of Baton Rouge, she died at 12:42 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at Magnolia Place. She was 78. Religious services at Beech Grove Baptist Church, 2376 Thomas Road, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. Gregory V. White. Dismissal at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens. Survived by two daughters, Etta B. Gardner, Jackson, Baton Rouge, and Ella L. Gardner-Stratford, Dallas; two sons, Joseph M. Gardner Jr., Baton Rouge, and Arney Craig Gardner, Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Earlene D. Thomas and Josephine P. Holmes, both of Baton Rouge; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ivory Burnell Gardner; and three brothers, a sister and a niece. Pallbearers will be Jamar, Jason and Jermaine Gardner, Darius and Dorian Stratford and Richard McCullough. Honorary pallbearers are Arney C. and Joseph M. Gardner and Feltus Jackson. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 1/4/00 GARDNER, ESTELLE WESTERFIELD A retired manager with Denny's Restaurant and a resident of Baton Rouge, she died at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1, 2000, in Baton Rouge. She was 67 and a native of Donaldsonville. Visiting at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church from noon until Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Tuesday, celebrated by the Rev. Matthew Dupre. Graveside services at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Bossier City, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mikki and Mike McFaul, Lisa Booth and Janelle and Skeeter Thoms; six grandchildren, Wendy, Mike Jr. and C.J. McFaul, Michelle and Matthew Booth and Nicole Gardner-Thoms; and a great-grandson, Ian McFaul. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church Building Fund 2000 or the American Lung Association. Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., in charge of arrangements. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 1/3/00 GARDNER, ESTELLE WESTERFIELD A retired manager with Denny's Restaurant and a resident of Baton Rouge, she died at 5:30 p.m. Satur-day, Jan. 1, 2000, in Baton Rouge. She was 67 and a native of Donald-sonville. Visiting at St. Jean Vian-ney Catholic Church from noon until Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Tuesday, celebrated by the Rev. Matthew Dupre. Graveside services at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Bossier City, at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Mikki and Mike McFaul, Lisa Booth and Janelle and Skeeter Th-oms; six grandchildren, Wendy, Mike Jr. and C.J. McFaul, Michelle and Matthew Booth and Nicole Gardner-Thoms; and a great-grandson, Ian McFaul. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church Building Fund 2000 or the American Lung Asso-ciation. Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., in charge of arrangements. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 5/5/99 GARDNER, OLLIE MAE O'NEAL "MADEAR" A resident of Baton Rouge, she died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. She was 79 and a native of Zachary. Visiting at Carney-Mackey Funeral Home, 1576 Robin St., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. Religious services at St. John Baptist Church, Alsen, at 8 p.m. Thursday, conducted by the Rev. Donald Ruth. Dismissal at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment in Southern Memorial Gardens. Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley Jean Smith Johnson and Willie N. Johnson Jr.; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry R. Roddy and Iris M. Roddy; grandchildren, Kim and Kyle Scott, Necchi and Oliver Mosley, W. Nemiah and Tania Johnson, Christina, Larry Jr., Nina, Dominique and Leroille Roddy; a host of great-grandchildren; a godchild, Bernadette; an aunt, Edna Mae Clark; cousins, including a special one, Louvnia Bethley; other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by parents and two husbands. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 4/16/98 GARDNER, CHRISTINA W. A resident of Zachary, she died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 1998, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She was 65 and a native of Harviell, Mo. Visiting at Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Road, Baker, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and after 9 a.m. Friday. Religious services at the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m. Friday, conducted by the Rev. Charles Plunkett. Interment in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Survived by husband, George Gardner, Zachary; two daughters, Carolyn Kay Gardner Hebert, Zachary, and Robin Sue Gardner Butcher, Gonzales; two sons, Robert Christopher Gardner and Robert Mitchell Gardner, both of Zachary; a cousin, Ada Black, Baton Rouge; a niece, Marlan Spence, Prairieville; a brother, Charles Webb, Clinton; numerous other nieces and nephews; eight grandchildren, Michele Price, Susan Schexsnayder, Christy Hammac, Jenny Hammac, Robert Mitchell Gardner, Christopher Ray Gardner, Holly Nicole Gardner and Hunter Ian Gardner; and six great-grandchildren, Cason, Tori, Cody, Chase, Justin and Alyssa. Preceded in death by parents, Bill and Ida Webb; and a son, David Ray Gardner. Pallbearers will be C.J. Hebert, Randal Butcher, Jason Schexsnayder, Barry Price, Chris Gardner and Steve Stockton. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 10/5/97 GARDNER, WILLIE TARVER Manager of Wal-Mart Garden Center and a resident of Denham Springs, she died at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997, at her residence. She was 64 and a native of Crowville. Visiting at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Graveside services at Masonic Cemetery, Crowville, at 2 p.m. Monday, conducted by the Rev. Glynn Finley and the Rev. Hines Davis. Survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Joey Poland, Denham Springs, and Lori and Stuart Winch, Pecan Island; a son and a daughter-in-law, Michael and Donna Gardner, Denham Springs; two sisters, Audie Swift and Francis Staggs, both of Winnsboro; four grandchildren, Kevin and Alicia Gardner and Kody and Justin Winch; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by husband, Howard L. Gardner Jr.; and three sisters, Daisy Tarver, Mary Belle Zolkowski and Jimmie Lynn Polk. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Crowville. Memorial donations may be made to Cancer Society of Livingston Parish, P.O. Box 463, Denham Springs, 70726. Obituary published in The Advocate on: 10/2/97 GARDNER, SR. WILLIE DOUGLAS A retired East Baton Rouge Parish school teacher and resident of Baton Rouge, he died at 6:25 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997, at The Care Center. He was a native of Greenville, Miss. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Visiting at Rhodes United Fidelity Funeral Home, 10 a.m. Friday until religious services at noon, conducted by the Rev. Wilbert C. August. Interment in Port Hudson National Cemetery. Survived by a son, Robert Douglas Gardner; and sisters and brothers. Preceded in death by parents, and wife, Robbie G