Austin Gardner

At the funeral home last night Cameryn Howeth gave me the following note. I think it has to be one of the sweetest notes that I have ever received. I never want to forget it or her.

Yesterday afternoon, Janice Dunlop, wife of Evangelist Ed Dunlop, went home to be with the Lord she loves (Thursday, October 29, 2009). While she is home and in a better place, we will miss her. Please pray for Bro. Dunlop as he faces life without his sweetheart of 32 years.

Jan’s funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 at Stanley Heights Baptist Church, 1512 McBrien Road, East Ridge, TN 37412. (a suburb of Chattanooga)

In memory of her home going, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saulnier-Roberson Haven, Inc. jail and prison ministry, and Silent Word Ministries International – a ministry committed to the spread of the gospel to the deaf world-wide. Gifts will be received and distributed by the Stanley Heights Baptist Church, 1512 McBrien Road, East Ridge, TN 37412. You can contact the church at (423) 867-8060.

Bro. Dunlop has been a blessing and a friend to so many of us and it is our time to be a friend to him.

When Stephen and April Baker heard about my dad they did what they always do, they thought of others. They literally spent hundreds of dollars bringing food, gift cards, gifts, cooking, cleaning, taking care of dad etc. April really gave of herself.

Now the picture above may not let you know that she treated my grandkids well but she did. They spent the night last night at the Baker’s house. You always have fun around April.

Thank you April for being so kind, unselfish, giving, and helpful. You are a servant woman if I have ever known one. We love you.

The following came from the Victory Baptist Press newsletter from Pastor Tim Fellure:

We just got a call from Brother Humberto Gomez telling us that his twenty-six year old nephew, Nehemiah has been kidnapped in Mexico. The kidnappers are demanding a large sum of money, or, they say Nehemiah will be killed today (Thursday).
For more information you may call Humberto Gomez at
956-867-1281.

UPDATE: Last night the kidnappers let Nehemiah call his dad, Jose Gomez and tell him he had until today (Friday) to pay the ransom money. From that we know that Nehemiah is still alive. Please pray much through out the day, it would also be deeply appreciated if you would forward this email to your friends and encourage them pray.

Check out this crazy video the guys made to tell you about the new building we are moving to:

Where
The church will be moving to 1125 Alpha Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004. This is just off of Macfarland.

When
Starting December 14th

I have been with my dad from Sunday, October 18th until he died. I didn’t really do much besides sit there but two young ladies especially carried a load. I was so proud of our daughter, Stephanie. She constantly gave all the medical attention to my dad. She gave him medicine, rolled him over every two hours, wiped out his mouth and a hundred other things. She slept there with dad and my mother and while I went to my brother’s house to sleep Stephanie only got one night free.

I am so very proud of her. I think that she is truly a Proverbs 31 woman. I love you and thank you so very much.

Another young lady that was greatly used with my dad was Amanda Gardner Wade. She is my niece. She spent the night and helped care for dad. She took her nursing responsibilities very seriously. The one night that Stephanie got free was the night Amanda took over. I am so very proud of her also.

We have friends and family in different parts of the world that loved my dad and our family. I want to invite you to watch the funeral live.

The funeral will be held at Whitfield Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia where Dr. Wayne Cofield is pastor.

You can click on this link to watch the service.

Thank you to all of you that have prayed for us, written notes, cards, emails, sent flowers, prepared food, and done a thousand other things that I can’t think of right now.

God bless each of you. We are super blessed as a family.

I have had a blast getting to spend so much time with my family. Getting to know my nieces again has been a special privilege.

Today our daughter, Rebecca Joy, turns another year older. There are not words to describe how much we love this young lady. Every dad and mom knows what I mean, I am sure. But just to think of her birthday makes my heart want to burst.

Joy, I love you. I thank God for the day you were born. I will never forget telling your mother as she hurt with birthing pains that pain endures for the night but Joy comes in the morning and you did!

You are a great mother. You are a great daughter. You are a great friend. I wish God would allow us to live closer to each other but will be happy to love you from where ever I have to. I want you to know that I miss you today. I want you to know that I love you and I love your children, Benjamin and Lelia.

I want you to know that I am very proud of you. I want you to know that I pray for you and the kids everyday. I want you to know that your mother adores you. I hear about your every move and need from her.

I pray that God will greatly bless this day and all the days of your future. Just know this. We love you and we miss you.

Your loving parents

I am pretty sure we were traveling again. Already for the airport. There you are with a beautiful and happy smile. I love to see those smiles on your face.

Talking about smiles check out this one. Daddy’s little girl. I love you.

Anyone ever seen a cuter girl in the world. You have brought so much joy to my life.

Bossy little Joy even back then. David trying to take over and can’t. I love you. As Sam says, a man in our church, have I told you lately that I love you.

The most beautiful woman in the world holding one of the most beautiful babies in the world. I thank God or allowing us to be your parents.

Happy Birthday–I believe your first in Peru when we lived in Cayma. No cake just Lemon Icebox Pie, but you loved it and so did the rest of the gang.

All a little lady standing in the door in Cooperativa Universitaria.

Well, Joy, I want you to know that we love you very much. Have a happy birthday and receive some hugs and kisses from very far away from a couple of old people.

By the way if you would like to wish Joy a happy birthday you can do so right here in the comments.

The family will receive friends at

Ponders Funeral Home
675 Jolley Road
Calhoun, GA 30701
706-625-7577

from 5 to 9 on Thursday evening October 29, 2009.

The funeral will be held at

Whitfield Baptist Church
2134 Dug Gap Road
Dalton, GA 30720
706.278.6776

at 1 pm October 30, 2009

Burial will take place at

GORDON MEMORIAL GARDENS
575 HIGHWAY 53
CALHOUN, GEORGIA 30701

PHONE 706-625-1300
FAX 706-625-0844

The story up until now:

First one

Second one

Three

Joy to Papaw

Physicians Assistant

Dad’s Testimony

It is not death to die

Friday evening update

House of Mourning

Going back

The latest on dad

A living will

I called hospice

Dad just got his promotion

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Peru Bible College via Macedonia World Baptist Missions, P O Box 519, Braselton, Georgia 30517

Mr. Charles W. Gardner, age 80, of Harriman, Tennessee, went to the loving arms of his Savior from his home following a stroke, Wednesday early morning 12:55 AM, October 28 surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Gardner was born August 6, 1929 in Elkhart, Indiana, a son of the late Dorsey Mason and Daisey Velma Gardner. He was also preceded in death by his brother Franklin Coleman Gardner. Mr. Gardner was retired from Dupont and Lockheed, and a longtime Beef and Chicken farmer in the Adairsville and Gordon County, Georgia area.

He was a member of Swan Pond Baptist Church in Harriman, Tennessee.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty-six years, Carolyn P. Gardner; son and daughter in law, Austin and Betty Gardner, pastor of Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, daughter Felicia Gardner still residing at home, son and daughter in law John and Donna Gardner, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, daughter and son in law Vicki and Bob Orfield, School Nutrition Manager and Walmart Customer Service; grandchildren, Chris and Andria Gardner, Stephanie and David Young, Joy Soncco, David and Katie Gardner, Amanda and Jon Wade, Beverly and Jeff Tubb, Jenny Dickey, Chris Dickey, Marcus Orfield, and Megan Orfield, great grand children, Jacob, Hannah, and Andrew Gardner, Philip, Dave, Ronnie, Andrew, Matthew, and Jonathan Young, Benjamin and Lelia Soncco, Jonathan and Hannah Wade.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Peru Bible College via Macedonia World Baptist Missions, P O Box 519, Braselton, Georgia 30517

I will put up the funeral arrangements once they are made.