Garner Max Gardner, 75, of Baxley died Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah.
Mr. Gardner was born August 13, 1938 in Appling County to the late Willie Roy “Bill” Gardner and the late Marie Juanita Altman Gardner. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of The Appling County Exchange Club, the Georgia Press Association (GPA) and recipient of various awards and recognitions including the Golden Club Award for 50 years in the GPA and the Freedom Bell Award. He was a retired newspaper publisher of The Baxley News-Banner. He was preceded in death by brothers, J. L. Gardner and Willie Gardner.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Jones Gardner of Baxley for 54 years; sons, the Rev. Freddy (Lynn) Gardner of Broxton; Tim (Melanie) Gardner and Jamie (Amy) Gardner both of Baxley; sisters, Betty Beavin of Dallas and Wilma (Darvin) Spell of Baxley; brother, Tommy (Renee) Gardner of Crawford; twelve grandchildren; Mathew (Carrie) Gardner of Baxley, Joshua (Rebecca) Gardner of Baxley, Rachel (Joshua) Landmon of Baxley, Ryan (Katie) Gardner of Baxley, Meagin (Keaton) Sasser of Alma, Cole Gardner of Baxley , and Jacob Gardner of Baxley. Also surviving are six great grandchildren; Mattie Gardner, Cooper Gardner, Aiden Landmon, Hollis Gardner, Hadlee Gardner, and Hudson Gardner.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 8, at 10:30 a.m. from Midway Baptist Church with the Reverends Marty Anderson, Wayne Williamson, Michael Beecher, and Ronnie Rentz officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Mr. Gardner lay in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Visitation was held Friday evening, 6:00-8:30 p.m., at Midway Baptist Church.
Active pallbearers were Matthew Gardner, Joshua Gardner, Ryan Gardner, Keaton Sasser, Joshua Landmon, Chris Floyd, Cole Gardner and Jacob Gardner.
Honorary pallbearers included the Deacons of Midway Baptist Church and their wives, Dr. and Mrs. Orlando Fernando, Charles Coley, Donald and Lorene Hunter, Joann Beecher, Helen Samardjich, Ronald Bullard, Chad Bullard, Diane Dyal, Billy and Patricia O’Berry, Wanda Ammons, Lloyd Gunter, Alex Johnson, Charlie Stuckey, Butch Barfield, Johnny and Lillian Aycock, Helen Roberson, Gene and Peggy Lott, Marvin and Brenda Callaway, Chuck Nail, Lewis Parker, and all past and present employees of The Baxley News-Banner.
Musical Selections were rendered by the Rev. Billy Gardner and the Midway Baptist Church Choir accompanied by Danny Smith.
Remembrances may be made to the Midway Baptist Youth Fund.
Funeral arrangements for Garner Max Gardner, 75, of Baxley were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.