Obituary of Mary Esther Davis Gardner

Mary Esther Davis Gardner age 98 of Bedford passed away on Wednesday December 12, 2018. She was born on Sunday November 7, 1920.  She was the late daughter of John William and Dollie Ann Hensley Davis. Those that were deceased before her are her beloved husband, Edward Marshall Gardner; her sister: Annie Pearl, her brothers, Warren, James, Willie, Howard and Clarence Davis; sisters-in-law, Betty Davis & Sarah Davis, brother-in-law, Boyd S. Gardner and a dear friend, Evelyn Kennedy.  

Mary worked as a cook at the Peaks of Otter, the Bedford Country Club, and Goodes Country Kitchen. She loved to embroidery, knit and some quilting.  Mary loved to tend to her garden and chickens, what a true love she had for her chickens!!  She was a  wonderful cook and baker; it was her passion to try new things. She attended Ebenezer, Sedalia, and Salem churches

Those surviving are her son, Michael E. Gardner, a grandson, Michael A. Gardner (Diane); a granddaughter, Monica Fitzgerald; brothers, Russell, Andrew (Ella), Sherman (Ruth), Robert Davis; a sister, Fannie Davis Gardner; her sisters-in-law, Mary Davis, Velma Davis and Margaret Ward;  many nieces and nephews surviving include a very special nephew, William B. Gardner (Jeanette); very close friends and neighbors, the Larry Schmehl family, Phillip Kennedy, Marie White, Rushie Wooldridge, Richard Norman and Patricia P. Dinwiddie. 

The family will receive friends beginning at 2 PM on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford and a funeral service will follow at 3 PM in the chapel with Pastor William Clark officiating.   Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.