Dorothy "Dot" Lorraine Gardner

Dorothy “Dot” Lorraine Gardner of Jonesboro, Arkansas, went to be with her beloved Lord on July 9, 2019, after a short but mighty battle.  She is survived by one sister, Francis Fredrickson (Richard); three daughters, Julia Gardner Bray of Lee’s Summit, MO, Janie Gardner Cunningham (Thomas) of Beebe, AR, and Joan Gardner Hannah (Ron) of Jonesboro, AR; four grandchildren, Alison Bray St. John (Jeff), Arron Gardner Hannah, Laura Scott Rakes (Sam), and Lacey Elizabeth Cunningham; and four great-grandchildren, Cole Hannah, Dexter Rakes, Wyatt Hannah, and Charli Hannah.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester Eugene Gardner; her father, George Francis Hagman; and her mother, Janie Belle Shade (Ray).

Dorothy’s story begins in Galveston, Texas, where she was born on December 11, 1929.  Likely, the world didn’t know what it had in store for the next 89 years while she ventured around Texas and Arkansas.  Dorothy’s father played guitar and her mother played mandolin in a band, and Dorothy was the highlight of their live shows.  At 4 years old, Dot would get on stage during band breaks to dance and sing for pennies.  At 9, she won the local county fair talent show, further developing that stage presence she’d so carefully honed earlier in her young life.  About this time, her family moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where Dorothy sang in the acapella choir in high school. But Dorothy was not all play and no work.  She worked hard throughout her life.  She was a telephone operator and a secretary for the International Paper Company both at Pine Bluff.  In 1969, she moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and was secretary for Ed Stallings Insurance.  Finally, she was owner of The Mailroom, also in Jonesboro.  Many who knew Dot well did not know her as a singular person; she was half of one whole.  When she was 18, she married Sylvester Eugene “Gene” Gardner, who was the other half to her whole.  They were married for almost 50 years before Gene tragically passed away in 1998.  Dorothy and Gene’s family take great comfort in knowing they are together again with the Heavenly Father.

Dot’s story would not be complete without a brief but heartfelt mention of her love for all things holy.  Her name itself means “gift of God”.  She studied the Bible fervently and attended Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro for many, many years.  She led others in their search for understanding as a faithful member of many Bible studies.  Those who attend her church (and those who don’t) were the focus of her prayers as she was an avid prayer warrior, making list upon list of souls who needed prayer.  Her prayers were, no doubt, heard.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 14, 2019 from 1-2 PM with service starting at 2PM at Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro with John Lawrence officiating.  Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, the Jonesboro Church Health Center, the First Baptist Church Care Center, or Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Ron Hannah, Aaron Hannah, T.C. Cunningham, Sam Rakes, Bryan Waldron and Cole Hannah and Dexter Rakes.

To register online, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com