Norman & June Gardner
Obituary
Obituary
of Norman Russ Gardner
May 30, 2021
Norman Russ Gardner went to meet his maker peacefully at Hospice House on Sunday, May 30 in Landrum, South Carolina at the age of 85.
Rev. Gardner is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, the former June McManus of the home, two sons, Norman Russ Jr. “Rusty” and wife, Ruth of Orange Park, FL and Larry Greer and wife, Laura of St. Augustine, FL, two grandsons:, Joshua (Leslie) of Jacksonville, FL, Caleb (Kelly) of Raleigh, NC, and two granddaughters, Amber/Kaelyn Cecil and Allison “Alli” of St. Augustine, FL, four great-grandsons, Brayden, Landon, Ezra and Noah Gardner. He is preceded in death by his parents, Greer L. and Gertrude Wingo Gardner of New Prospect in Spartanburg County, SC.
Rev. Gardner was born on June 24, 1935 in Spartanburg County. He graduated from Bob Jones University in 1958 and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1962. He pastored ten Southern Baptist Churches in five states during his ministry: Bethel Mission and Colony Forest Mission in Columbia, SC, Montague Baptist Church in Montague, Texas and Decatur Ave. Baptist Church in Fort Worth; First Baptist Church of Machesney Park, Rockford, IL, Piedmont Baptist Church in Chesnee, SC, First Baptist Church of Dupo, IL; Trinity Baptist Church of Durham, NC, Croft Baptist Church of Spartanburg, Alice Drive Baptist Church of Sumter, SC; Ridgewood Baptist Church in Orange Park, FL and Goucher Baptist Church in Gaffney.
After retiring from 63 yrs. in the ministry he and his wife moved to his childhood home in the New Prospect Community of Spartanburg County and joined New Prospect Baptist Church.
June McMancus Gardner
September 25, 2024
June McManus Gardner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on September 25, 2024. She was a devoted woman of faith who loved the Lord, her family, and countless friends. Married to her husband, Norman Russ Gardner, for 66 years, they served together in ministry across ten churches in five states.
June was a gifted writer, contributing to LifeWay periodicals and spending over 25 years writing curriculum for preschool teachers. Later, she authored and published several family history books, leaving a legacy for her family, including "Growing Up in Colonial Heights," "The Gold at New Prospect," and others. After her husband's passing, she completed his writing projects, including "Trube's Place," "The Preacher Man," and "Out of the Past with a Twist of Truth."
She found joy in apartment ministry and was an active member of First Baptist Middleburg in Florida. June is predeceased by her husband, Norman Russ Gardner, and brother, Glenn McManus. She is survived by her sons, Rusty (Ruth) of Orange Park and Larry (Laura) of Reddick, FL; grandchildren Joshua (Leslie), Caleb (Kelly), Amber (Kaelyn), and Allison; and five great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brothers Don, Charles, and Bill McManus, along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
June loved gardening, travel, and fulfilled her dream of visiting Ireland and Scotland. She leaves behind a lasting impact on all who knew her.