Ethel Mae Gardener

Ethel M. Gardener was born November 4, 1939 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Taylor Johnson and the late Mary Johnson Collins. She fought a good fight until November 8, 2018 when the Lord called her home. Ethel attended Washington High School and was a dedicated Tiger fan. In 1958 Ethel began her life with John R. Gardener and to their union birthed nine children, six boys and three girls. She often spoke of her fondest childhood memories of taking Sunday trips with her father and siblings visiting relatives in Massillon and Akron. She was an avid reader of novels, truly enjoyed playing the slot machines and loved going to bingo with her bonus daughter, Karen. She also enjoyed volunteering her time at Crystal Park Methodist Church soup kitchen. Ethel joined Peoples Baptist Church in Canton where she was a member since March 19, 2000 and regularly attended bible study. In addition she was a member of Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF) for more than 10 years, as she truly enjoyed completing her weekly bible lessons and having fellowship with the ladies every Wednesday morning to discuss God’s word. In 1989, Ethel was ecstatic to become employed for the first time in her adult life with McCrory’s Five & Dime store in downtown Canton. She later quit her job to take care of her husband until his passing. Thereafter, she became employed by the Canton News Depot where she truly enjoyed working for more than 10 years. Ethel often reminisced of the vacations she enjoyed which included cruising the seas with her brother George, and going to Virginia Beach and Las Vegas with her grandchildren. Her greatest passion in life was her family, being a mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved spending time with her best friend, little, big brother”Georgie.” Ethel was the glue that held her family together. Her prayer was that her children stayed together harmoniously. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Raymond (Gila) Gardener, Amelia Gardener, Tony Gardener, Victor (Ina) Gardener, Tammy Gardener, Clyde (Gloria) Gardener, Wanda (Hershel) Chenault, John Gardener Jr., Steven Gardener and bonus daughter Karen Baldwin; 26 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings George Johnson, Diane Johnson, Denise Richardson, and Mary Johnson; brother-in-law Horace Ward and adopted sister Tammy Super; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, John R. Gardener and her sister Lula Mae Ward. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 16, 2018 at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon from 5-7 p.m. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Peoples Baptist Church, 701 17th St SE, Canton at 11 a.m. A viewing will take place from 10 a.m. until the start of the service. Final resting place will be at North Lawn Cemetery following the service. The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Griffin, Dr. Jeffrey Prem, Dr. Mike Van Ness, Dr. James Rajan, and Dr. Albert Domingo for their compassionate care.