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.
Sherry Penland commented on your status:
“Look what happening in heaven; a cheer went up as he walked thru the gate. And the change in him what a difference, he is as young and beautiful as a babe. Guess Who has His arms around him, and he just wiped the last tear from his eye. He said child welcome home forever, come and rest by the river of life.
He never had earth treasures he didn’t want them, just to provide for his family, nothing more. He often talked about his home in Heaven, he had been so longing for, He said “when I leave this world don’t be crying, for me it will be a stepping stone, And when I close my eyes in sleep for the last time, I’ll step out of the world, I’ll be home.”
My prayers are with you.”
Victory in Jesus! He has crossed the finish line!
He is happier now than we could ever want him to be. We are saddened by his departure, and even more so by the sense of loss that you, our friends, are feeling. We are praying for you and all of the family.
“Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it Heaven; of touching a hand, and finding it God’s; of breathing new air, and finding it celestial; of waking up in Glory, and finding it Home!”
Thank God it is through the valley of the shadow of death and not in the valley of shadow of death and the reason there is a shadow is because there is The Light at the end of the “tunnel”. Psa. 23:4.
Praise God for the God of Heaven paving the way through His Only Son’s Blood at Calvary. Praying for Sister Carolyn and all the family. Fifty Six years married! Praise God for that miracle!
Bro. Austin if there is anything you need we have a church full of folks who would be honored to be a blessing to your family at this time. We love you and will continue to lift you all up in prayer. It was an honor to pastor your parents for the years they were in the area.
As I often say, ” we are the only folks that can laugh and cry at the same time.” I know through the tears there is rejoicing . It’s not “Good bye” it is just “Good Night” !
See you soon,
Gratefully your pastor,
Bro.Wayne
Oh how wonderful to know that your dad is in a place of perfection with our Heavenly Father! I am sorry for your loss of him on this earth but celebrate with you that you will see him again!
Linda and I as well as our church are praying for you and your family today. We love each of you and we are thankful for your Dad’s testimony of redeeming grace. I know that His grace is all sufficient and will strengthen you through the days ahead.
I got the following in a very kind comment from our friend, Trent Cornwell.
I want you men to know how much I love the three of you. You exhibit to me the potential good a family can do if they will give their lives to Jesus.
Papaw was a wonderful example of a man who fell in love with Jesus and changed the future of the Gardner name. Everytime he spoke about
his family he would smile so big. He was probably the toughest man I have ever met that wasn’t ashamed to admit his love for God.
I wish I could do something for you men.
On BCWE I put something to commemorate Papaw’s life. He made a big impact in this world through you three.
He was also a missions hero in his own rights. He was involved in the battle. From giving to missions to wearing evanga ties
he was in the battle.
What a wonderful legacy he left behind. When Jesus puts his bride on display for all the universe to see His glory.. satan and the fallen angels
will be astonished at the family that came from a man who started out as an orphan kid in sticks of Indiana.
another email
Bro. Austin,
I was sad to hear about your father, however I realize that he is in a much better place at this time.
Your Dad was a great man. I count it a privilage to know him. Your Dad and Mom were a great blessing to my family when we were just getting started as missionaries. I still remember staying with them in Cartersville on the chicken farm.
We will be praying for you, John and Vicky and the respective families during this time.
Mike
another
It is always a time of grief when we lose a loved one and I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. It has been a privilege to know him and his testimony. Truly a servant of the Lord and I am sure all of Heaven stood and rejoiced as he entered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tell the family we love them and are praying for them.
The Sheridans
The folks at Oakside Baptist in LaGrange and I will be and are praying for you and your family. God bless.
Pastor Stephen Curry
we stopped in the office today and prayed for your family and thanked God for your dad who is with Jesus. What peace accompanies the death of God’s redeemed! This gave me a chance to explain through the Bible that this is not a time of sadness but rejoicing.
Aaron
Bro. Gardner,
I wanted you to know I am sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Please know that I am praying for you and your family during this time.
Thanks for your faithfulness and your godly example to me and so many others.
Love you brother.
Thank the LORD my family had the opportunity to get to know your father and your heavenly father! We love you pastor…
Hugh and Elisabeth
Brother Gardner,
Please now that we are praying for you during this hard time. I know you can rest in that hope tha you will be with him in glory. We are in sympathy with you and recall our father died in 1956. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Cor. 1: 3, 4).
May God bless you and your family in your ministry.
Charles Nunnally
Dear Brother Gardner,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad today. My Dad went home to be with the Lord in 2005. I know some what of what you are going through. I am praying for you and your family my Brother.
Your friend in Christ,
Lynn McClain
Kenwood First Baptist
Trent Cornwell wrote the following on http://www.bcwe.org
Mr. Charles Gardner was much better known as Papaw. Despite is desire for the simple quite life he made an impact around this world! He became a grandfather to missionaries around the world. He left a wonderful legacy of kids and grandkids are serving our Lord Jesus Christ. He also “adopted ” many missionaries into his family. He made their concerns his concerns.
We pray that God will more men of this caliber. He modeled war time living for the cause of world missions. He knew as a Navy veteran that for a war to be won there would have to be people supporting our soldiers. Mr. Gardner cheerfully gave of his money for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. He also gave his greatest resource as a father and grandfather. He always had a big smile on his face when he would talk about the work of God around the world and his families part in God’s wonderful plan for world evangelism.
Bro. Austin,
I am very sorry to hear about the passing on of your Dad.
But isn’t it a blessing to have the assurance that one day, you will see each other again, rejoicing together in the Lord for all His goodness and mercy!
We love you and appreciate all you do, Brother.
May God comfort you and yours in your time of loss.
~ The Diemer Family
Praying for you!
Love you guys!
God bless you all. He certainly will be missed.
The Sheridans
PASTOR.
Quería agradecerle por las enseñazas.
Por lo de su papa lo ciento mucho, se que no hay palabras que nos consuelen en esos momentos.
Solo Dios puede consolar nuestros corazones.
Personalmente mi familia y yo, lo amamos mucho.
Mauro Huamán
Bro and Mrs. Gardner,
Rebecca and I would like to extend our heart felt love and prayers in the home going of your father.
May God give you peace and joy in this hard time. My father is as well not doing well and nearing his end on this earth, so we understand and send our prayers on your behalf.
In Christ
Jonathan and Rebecca Allinson
Mexico City, Mexico
II Corintios 3:5-6
Jeremi posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Hey Brother I heard last night about your Father I am sorry to hear about his passing. We pray will God will be extra sweet during this time of loss. God Bless”
Carlene Weirick Duncan commented on your status:
“Don and I are praying for your family. We never met your Dad but know he was a godly man who loved the Saviour he is now with face to face. Heaven is a sweeter place for you today.”
Julie posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Bro. Gardner, so sorry to hear about your Dad. We’ll be praying for your family during this time. We love you all!”
RobSara posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Will be praying for you during this difficult time, Bro. Gardner.”
James posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“We love you, and are praying for you and your family.”
Pastor Guillermo,
Mi mamá (sorda) murió cuando yo tenía 10 años, seguramente su papá y mi mamá ya se conocen en el cielo.
Era julio del 2003, mi papá era retirado del ministerio por pecado y todo se me venía abajo, ud. me compartió un versículo que me ayudó mucho.
Le dedico el mismo, Habacuc. 3:17,18.
Gracias por su tiempo en Perú.
Jonathan Ramirez.
http://nathanramirezj.blogspot.com
Natasha posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“praying for your family……we love you so much”
Jason posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“We’ll be praying that the Lord will comfort you guys during this difficult time.”
Jaime posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Nuestro sentido pésame por la pérdida de su papá. Estamos orando por ustedes.”
Kevin Rebecca posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Wonderful role model for what a true man should be was the man Charles Gardner. It seems like an era of great men has passed with the turning of this page. May God bless you Austin & family.”
Richard Lee Vance commented on your status:
“We are praying for you all.”
I heard of your Dad’s home going today and prayed for you and your family. My dad has been in heaven for almost 15 years and I miss him. I am thrilled at the prospect of heaven but we miss those men who meant much to us and helped us in the Lord. God bless your whole family. You all are a real blessing to us and your work for the Lord on the front lines is refreshing to the saints.
Until then,
Timothy Alan Campbell Sr.
Pastor
Old Suwanee Baptist Church
4118 Old Suwanee Road
Buford, GA 30518
Bro. Gardner,
I’ve been thinking about what an incredible legacy Papaw was able to leave behind, sir. By touching the lives of his children, he changed not only a generation of Gardners, but also the world. When he put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ, Papaw never knew that that decision would eventually impact your life, your children’s lives, the lives of the men you trained, and the lives of people in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Morocco, China, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Ireland. What an incredible example of what Jesus can do through one life committed to serving him! I am so privileged to have known him as an adopted grandpa, as Papaw, and seen his love for the Lord and His work…
Love you all,
Tracy
Dori McFeters Brasure commented on your status:
“Now in his glorified body! Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
Julie posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“God bless you during this time of sorrow and yet, joy through the tears. Praying for you and Betty and all the family at home and abroad.”
Angie Noll Lomax commented on your status:
“Praying for all of you! I really thought a lot of you dad!! My boys loved him!”
Brother Austin,
I am truly sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. We will be praying for you and your family during this time. We enjoyed all the times that we spent with him and your family there in Georgia. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Greg, Tracey, Ashley, Jonathan, and Jeremy Anderson
Bro. Austin & Family.
We just wanted to say that we were saddened at hearing of the passing of your dad. I remember when I lost my dad, how bad I felt. Even though your dad is better off in heaven, he will still be missed. May God bless all of you during this very difficult time. We are praying for you.
Bro. Tinsley & Family
Fred posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“We are certianly praying for you and your family. I’m glad I got to know your Dad and truly recognize his love for God and missions. He was a blessing to all who knew him. May God comfort your hearts in these days.”
MicahandKatie posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“We love you all, and are praying for you during this time. It was a blessing to know your father. We are thankful for the impact for God that he had on your life.”
In continual prayer for you and your family sir. We (at the guy’s house) all love you and your family.
Brother Gardner sir,
Sorry to hear about your Dad, I know how you feel. I lost mine a year and 5 months ago. We will be praying for you all.
Thanks,
Curtis & Debra Couch
Fabricio posted something on your Wall and wrote:
“Bro Gardner … God comfort your family and we pray for you here … God knows what he does, he is the master of life of each one of us feel the love of the Peruvian people for over 15 years gave us, we are hurting as you because we understand the meaning of the loss of a parent God cares so much of their own. I love a lot and go! The Life continue… My God give more and more God of great impetus to continue … all for His glory! A M E N”
I want you to know I am deeply sorrowed for your loss personally. Knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for you personally gives strength. I cannot say I understand your emotions and feelings yet but should the Lord tarry I know that one day I will. Dad is 80 himself and I personally dread that day even though I know just like your dad he will be in the Lord’s presence.
I will be there either Thursday or Friday to stand with you.
I love and appreciate you as my friend and brother in Christ.
Bro. Gary Ledford
Bro. Gardner and family,
Nobody needs to tell you that your Dad is now where all of us look forward to being one day. As joyous as that is, it would be unrealistic to say that there is no sorrow. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers. The Gardner family has touched so many lives, and the patriarch will be missed. I would like to thank you for taking the time to keep all of us updated these past days. As with so much else that you do, your actions during this difficult time have been nothing less than inspiring. Please pass our love on to your entire family.
-The Murphys
Dear Gardner Family:
My prayers have been with you, I have been through this four different times and I guess to tell you the truth, it’s never gets easier. The wonderful thing is knowing that Charles is with our Heavenly Father and that one day soon, we will all have that same chance. Wow, I can only imagine how Charles feels right know, sitting across from Jesus and smiling, oh how he is smiling. I have modified something someone sent to me years ago, I hope it’s appropriate at this time, from my heart to yours. “ God saw that Charles was getting tired and a cure was not meant to be, so he put his loving arms around him and whispered “come home with me” with tearful eyes we watched him suffer and fade away from this world; although we loved him dearly we couldn’t make him stay, a golden heart stopped beating, a warm loving heart was put to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us that he only takes the best.
God Bless You
We love You Gardner Family
Bob and Michelle
Brother Austin:
We heard of your dad’s passing and are so sorry, there is no doubt of the love you have for your parents and their love for their son. Your dad was a great man, we will never forget the time on deputaion when we came down in 1993 to visit and we stayed with your parents. God bless you and comfort you Brother Austin and all your family. Pray he will give your family and children safety as they travel to be with you all.
David and Debbie Bolos and Family